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1 Thessalonians Chapter Four

 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To understand how the Christian should increase more and more in 
 such matters as obedience, holiness, love, and diligence
 
2) To appreciate the precious hope and comfort we have for those who 
 have died in Christ
 
SUMMARY
 
With this chapter Paul begins a series of apostolic instructions
related to the Christian's walk in holiness, especially in view of the
coming of Christ. Urging them to abound more and more so that they 
might please God, he first focuses on their sanctification and the need
to abstain from sexual immorality (1-8). He then urges them to 
increase more and more in brotherly love, even though they had been 
taught by God to love another and did so toward all the brethren 
throughout Macedonia (9-10). That they might walk properly toward 
outsiders, he urges them to lead quiet lives, mind their own business, 
and to work with their own hands (11-12).
 
Paul then addresses the matter of those who have fallen asleep in 
Jesus. He did not want the Thessalonians to sorrow over them as others
who have no hope. For just as God raised Jesus from the dead, even so
He would bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (13-14). This leads
to a description of the Lord's coming, especially as it relates to how
those who are alive and remain until His coming will in no way precede 
those who have died. Indeed, when the Lord comes from heaven, the dead
in Christ will rise first, and we who are alive and remain will at that
time be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, to be
with Him forever. Christians should therefore comfort one another with
these words (15-18).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. WALK IN HOLINESS (1-8)
 
 A. TO PLEASE GOD (1-2)
 1. An exhortation in the Lord Jesus to abound more and more (1)
 2. According to the commandments Paul gave them through the Lord
 Jesus (2)
 
 B. TO ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY (3-8)
 1. For this is the will of God, their sanctification (3)
 2. That each one know how to posses his own vessel (4-5)
  a. In sanctification and honor (4)
 b. Not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know
 God (5)
 3. That no one take advantage of and defraud his brother in this
 matter (6)
 a. Because the Lord is the avenger of such things (6a)
 b. As Paul forewarned and testified (6b) 
 4. For God called us in holiness, not to uncleanness (7)
 5. To reject this is to reject God, who has also given us His 
 Holy Spirit (8)
 
II. WALK IN LOVE (9-10)
 
 A. AS TAUGHT BY GOD (9)
 1. Concerning brotherly love, Paul really did not need to write
 anything (9a)
 2. For they were taught by God to love one another (9b)
 
 B. TO INCREASE MORE AND MORE (10)
 1. Indeed, their love was manifest toward all the brethren 
 throughout Macedonia (10a)
 2. Yet Paul urges them to increase in their love even more (10b)
 
III. WALK IN DILIGENCE (11-12)
 
 A. TO WORK WITH THEIR HANDS (11)
 1. They should aspire to lead quiet lives, to mind their own 
 business (11a)
 2. Working with their own hands, as Paul commanded them (11b)
 
 B. TO WALK PROPERLY TOWARD OUTSIDERS (12)
 1. Conducting themselves properly toward those outside (12a)
 2. So that they may lack nothing (12b)
 
IV. WALK IN HOPE (13-18)
 
 A. WITH NO SORROW CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE DIED (13-14)
 1. Paul does not want them to be ignorant (13)
 a. Concerning those who have fallen asleep (13a)
 b. Lest they sorrow as others who have no hope (13b)
 2. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God
 will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (14)
 
 B. FOR WE SHALL BE REJOINED WITH THEM WHEN CHRIST RETURNS (15-18)
 1. Those who are alive when Christ comes will not precede those
 who are asleep (15)
 a. The Lord Himself will descend from heaven (16)
 1) With a shout
 2) With the voice of an archangel
 3) With the trumpet of God
 b. And the dead in Christ will rise first (16b)
 2. Then we who are alive and remain... (17)
 a. Shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
 the Lord (17a)
 b. And thus we shall always be with the Lord (17b)
 3. Therefore comfort one another with these words (18)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Walk in holiness (1-8)
 - Walk in love (9-10)
 - Walk in diligence (11-12)
 - Walk in hope (13-18)
 
2) What did Paul urge and exhort them in the Lord Jesus to do? (1)
 - To abound more and more
 
3) What is the will of God regarding our sanctification? (3)
 - To abstain from sexual immorality
 
4) What should each person do regarding "his own vessel"? (4-5)
 - Possess it in sanctification and honor
 - Not in passion of lust, like Gentiles who do not know God
 
5) Why should we be careful not to defraud our brother in this matter?
 (6-7)
 - Because the Lord is the avenger of all such things
 - For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness
 
6) If we reject Paul's warning, who is it we are really rejecting? (8)
 - God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit
 
7) Why did Paul not need to write to the Thessalonians about brotherly
 love? Yet what does he urge them? (9-10)
 - Because they were taught by God to love one another
 - Because they showed love toward all the brethren throughout
 Macedonia
 - To increase more and more
 
8) What three things does Paul encourage them to do in order to walk
 properly toward outsiders and be lacking in nothing? (11-12)
 - Aspire to lead quite lives
 - Mind their own business
 - Work with their own hands 
 
9) Why did Paul not want them to be ignorant concerning those who have
 fallen asleep? (13)
 - Lest they sorrow as those who have no hope
 
10) Who will God bring with Jesus? (14)
 - Those who sleep in Jesus
 
11) What is said of those who are alive and remain until the coming of
 the Lord? (15)
 - They will by no means precede those who are asleep
 
12) List the order of events that will occur when Jesus comes again 
 (16-17)
 - The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
 voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God
 - The dead in Christ will rise first
 - We who are alive shall be caught up together with them in the
 clouds to meet the Lord in the air
 - Thus we shall always be with the Lord
 
13) In view of these coming events, what we should we do? (18)
 - Comfort one another with these words

An Exhortation To Walk In Holiness (4:1-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As we saw in our previous study, Paul concluded his "apostolic
 reflections" with a prayer...
 a. In which he expressed his desire for his brethren - 1 Th 3:11-12
 b. In particular, that their hearts be established blameless in
 holiness - 1 Th 3:13
 
2. In the second half of this epistle, Paul gives "apostolic
 instructions"...
 a. In other words, exhortations, commands, urgings, etc.
 b. All designed to help answer his own prayer!
 1) That they increase and abound in love
 2) That they be blameless in holiness at the coming of the Lord
 
[His first "apostolic instruction" could be called "An Exhortation To
Walk In Holiness". It begins with a general exhortation on how we
ought to walk and please God...]
 
I. ABOUNDING MORE AND MORE (1-2)
 
 A. NOTE THE FORCEFULNESS OF THIS EXHORTATION...
 1. Paul "urges" and "exhorts" them
 2. He reminds them this is:
 a. What they received from him on how they "ought to walk" and 
 "to please God"
 b. In keeping with "commandments" given to them
 3. Twice he appeals to the name of Jesus (which adds to the force 
 of his appeal)
 a. Urging and exhorting "in the Lord Jesus"
  b. Commandments given "through the Lord Jesus"
 4. These "instructions" are not suggestions; they carry the force 
 of commands necessary to keep in order to please God!
 a. Which Jesus expected His apostles to teach - Mt 28:20
  b. Which Paul certainly stressed - 1 Co 7:19
 
 B. A COMMAND FOR INCREASING SERVICE...
 1. They should "abound more and more"
 a. As he prayed earlier - 1 Th 3:12
 b. As he will urge them again later - 1 Th 4:10
 2. This aspect of Christian living is taught throughout the
 Scriptures
 a. By Jesus in His parables
 1) The Talents - cf. Mt 25:14-30
 2) The Vine and The Branches - cf. Jn 15:1-2
 b. By Peter in defining what it means to grow in the knowledge 
 of Christ - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-8
 c. By Paul in his writing to other Christians
 1) The Corinthians - 1 Co 15:58
 2) The Philippians - Ph 1:9; 3:13-14
 
[The Christian "walk" or life is to be one where we abound more and
more, never resting on our laurels, always pressing on to increasing
levels of service. This is especially true when it comes to living
morally pure lives...]
 
II. SANCTIFICATION THROUGH ABSTINENCE (3-8)
 
 A. GOD'S WILL IS OUR SANCTIFICATION...
 1. The words "sanctification" and "holiness" come from the same 
 Greek word meaning to be "set apart"
 a. Through the Word of God, we are to be "sanctified" - Jn 
 17:17
 b. With the aid of the Spirit, we can be "sanctified" - 1 Co 
 6:11
 2. Sanctification is an on-going process...
 a. It began at our conversion - 1 Co 6:11; Ep 5:26
 b. It continues throughout our Christian life - He 2:11; 10:14
 c. It will be completed at the coming of Christ - 1 Th 5:23
 
 B. SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES ABSTINENCE...
 1. Abstaining from "sexual immorality"
 a. The Greek word (porneia) is commonly translated 
 "fornication"
 b. It is a "general word for unlawful and immoral sexual 
 intercourse and relationships" (Barclay)
 1) Thus it includes pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex 
 (adultery), homosexuality
 2) I.e., any sexual activity outside a lawful, marital 
 relationship between husband and wife
 2. Possessing one's own vessel (body, or wife) in sanctification 
 and honor
 a. Not in passion of lust, like those who do not know God 
 - cf. Ep 4:17-19
  b. Something we should know how to do - in case one doesn't,
 it involves:
 1) Being transformed by the renewing of the mind - Ro 12:
 1-2
 2) Not making provision for fulfilling the lusts of the 
  flesh - Ro 13:13-14
 3. So we will not be take advantage of and defraud our brother
 a. I.e., commit adultery (perhaps the highest form of fraud
 - cf. Pro 6:30-35) 
 b. Which is what happens when we do not possess our bodies in
 sanctification and honor
 
 C. WHY SANCTIFICATION (ESP. ABSTINENCE) IS NECESSARY...
 1. It is God's will - 1 Th 4:3
 2. God will avenge those who defraud their brethren - 1 Th 4:6; 
 cf. He 13:4
 3. God has called us to holiness, not (moral) uncleanness - 1 Th 
 4:7
 4. Otherwise we reject God, who has given us His Holy Spirit 
 - 1 Th 4:8
 a. Given to us when we became His sons - Ga 4:6
 b. Our bodies are to be temples for the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 
 6:18-20
 -- Dare we grieve the Spirit by defiling His temple?
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. To be blameless in holiness at the Lord's coming requires we walk in
 holiness now...
 a. Abounding more and more in our service to God
 b. Abstaining from sexual immorality by possessing our bodies in
 sanctification and honor
 
2. Through the grace of God, such holy living is possible...
 a. We have the blood of Christ to forgive us of the guilt of sin
 b. We have the help of the Spirit to free us from the power of sin
 -- But we must do our part, thus the need for "An Exhortation To 
 Walk In Holiness"
 
In view of our morally lax society, this is a much needed exhortation!
God has not called us to (sexual) uncleanness, but in holiness (1 Th
4:7). Are we living in a way becoming of our calling?

An Exhortation To Walk In Love (4:9-10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In his prayer for the Thessalonians (1 Th 3:11-13), Paul asked the
 Lord to...
 a. Make them increase and abound in love
 b. To one another and to all
 
2. As Paul continues with his "apostolic instructions", he proceeds to
 help answer his own prayer by exhorting the brethren regarding
 brotherly love...
 a. Though not really necessary in their case - 1 Th 4:9-10a
 1) For they have been taught by God to love one another
 2) And they love the brethren throughout Macedonia 
 b. Yet he urges them to increase more and more in their love - 1 Th
 4:10b 
 1) Note yet again the emphasis on an ever increasing service 
 - cf. 1 Th 3:12; 4:1
 2) So they were to increase in this grace as well
 
[What is it about "brotherly love" that would prompt Paul to first pray
for and then to urge the church at Thessalonica to increase in this
virtue? As we consider Paul's "Exhortation To Walk In Love" let's
first notice...]
 
I. THE DEFINITION OF BROTHERLY LOVE
 
 A. THE GREEK WORD...
 1. The Greek word is transliterated "philadelphia"
 2. It is a compound involving two words: "phileo" (love) and
 "adelphos" (brother)
 3. It literally means "the love of brothers"
 
 B. AS USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
 1. "philadelphia" describes the love which Christians cherish for
 each other as brethren (Thayer)
 2. Ro 12:10 reveals that it is through brotherly kindness we can 
 have "kind affection" toward one another
 
[Brotherly kindness is what provides a true sense of family in our
association as members of the Lord's body. Now let's consider why this
virtue is so necessary...
 
II. THE DEMAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE
 
 A. IT IS EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE...
 1. It is one way we know that we have truly passed from death to 
 life - 1 Jn 3:14
 2. If we do not have brotherly love, we remain in a state of
 spiritual death - 1 Jn 3:14-15
 
 B. IT IS EVIDENCE OF A TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD...
 1. It is one way that we demonstrate we have truly come to know 
 God - 1 Jn 4:7-8
 2. Without brotherly love, any claim to know God or love Him is a
 lie - 1 Jn 4:20-21
 
 C. IT IS EVIDENCE OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP...
 1. It is an identifying mark by which the world can know we are
 Jesus' disciples - Jn 13:34-35
 2. Right doctrine is certainly important (2 Jn 9), but the world 
 pays little attention to what they may perceive as minor 
 doctrinal differences
 a. What people do notice is love in a world filled with hate,
 especially when such love is observed among individuals who
 come from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds
 b. Any attempt to proclaim New Testament Christianity, 
 therefore, will fail to appeal to those in the world unless
 it is accompanied by a visible demonstration of true
 brotherly kindness among Christians
 
 D. IT IS EVIDENCE OF CONCERN FOR UNITY...
 1. Unity among brethren is very important to Jesus - Jn 17:20-23
 2. Through His death on the cross, Jesus attained unity - Ep 2:
  13-16
 3. This unity is maintained through diligent endeavor - Ep 4:3
 4. Crucial to this endeavor is "bearing with one another in love"
 - Ep 4:2
 a. There will be times when brethren sin against one another
 b. Where brotherly love prevails...
 1) There will be forbearance and forgiveness
 2) There will time for repentance and opportunities for
 reconciliation
 c. Unless we develop brotherly love, churches will be prone to
 split at the earliest sign of conflict
 
[Can we appreciate why Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians
increase in brotherly love? Do we see why we ought to excel in this
grace as well? Presuming that we do, here are some thoughts related
to...]
 
III. THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROTHERLY LOVE
 
 A. THE HELP GOD PROVIDES...
 1. When we first obey the gospel, our souls are purified so that
 sincere and fervent love of the brethren is now possible 
 - 1 Pe 1:22-23
 2. We are then "taught by God" how to love one another - cf. 1 Th
 4:9
 a. The Father teaches the meaning of love by the manner in 
 which He offered His Son as the propitiation for our sins
 - 1 Jn 4:9-10
 b. The Son demonstrated true love by freely offering His life 
 - 1 Jn 3:16
 
 B. THE THINGS WE CAN DO...
 1. As Peter implied, brotherly love is a virtue that must be
 developed - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-8
 2. One thing we can do is reflect often upon the love and 
 sacrifice of Jesus
 a. The more we do so, we come to understand the true meaning 
 of brotherly kindness
 b. As Jesus said, "as I have loved you, that you also love one
 another" - Jn 13:34
  3. I find two other things helpful in developing brotherly love
 a. Spend time with your brethren
 1) The more I am around people, the more I come to know 
 them personally, the more I share experiences (both good
  and bad), the easier I find it to "fall in love" with 
 them
 2) It is not much different than with one's own physical 
 family
 a) I had no choice who my three physical brothers would 
  be
 b) But as we experience life together our love and 
 appreciation for one another deepens
 c) I find it to be the same with my brethren in Christ
 b. Pray fervently for your brethren, especially those whom you
 dislike
 1) It is hard to remain angry or maintain a strong dislike 
 for someone when you spend time praying for them
 2) As you pray seeking God's love and forgiveness for 
  yourself, it becomes so much easier to love and forgive 
 others 
 
[Finally, a thought or two about our relationships as brethren in
Christ, and...]
 
IV. THE DISPLAY OF BROTHERLY LOVE
 
 A. WHEN BRETHREN DIFFER...
 1. A brother who is strong in faith must be considerate of his
 brother who may be weak - Ro 15:1
 2. A brother with liberty in Christ must be willing to limit that
 freedom if it is beneficial to the spiritual well-being of
 his weaker brother - 1 Co 8:13; Ga 5:13
 3. It is brotherly kindness that makes one cautious about judging
 a brother, or what they say about them - cf. Ja 4:11-12
 
 B. WHEN BRETHREN ARE WEAK...
 1. It is brotherly kindness that leads Christians to truly care 
 for one another - 1 Th 5:14
 a. To warn the unruly
 b. To comfort the faint-hearted
 c. To uphold the weak
 d. To be patient with all
 2. It is brotherly kindness that will prompt us to pursue the 
  things that make for peace and the things by which we may 
 build up one another - Ro 14:19
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The importance of developing the spirit of brotherly love cannot be
 stressed too highly...
 a. It is evidence of spiritual life
  b. It is evidence of a true knowledge of God
 c. It is evidence of true discipleship
 d. It is evidence of concern for unity
 
2. Even if we excel in brotherly love like the Thessalonians...
 a. We need to pray that the Lord make us increase and abound in love
 - 1 Th 3:11-13
 b. We need to urge one another to increase more and more - 1 Th 4:
 9-10
 
It is evident the Thessalonians heeded Paul's exhortation to walk in
love, for in his second epistle he wrote:
 
 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is
 fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of
 every one of you all abounds toward each other" (2 Th 1:3)
 
May the same be true of us as well!

An Exhortation To Walk In Diligence (4:11-12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In his "apostolic instructions", we have seen Paul exhort the church
 at Thessalonica...
 a. To walk in holiness - 1 Th 4:1-8
 b. To walk in love - 1 Th 4:9-10
 
2. His next instruction (1 Th 4:11-12) is an exhortation to "diligence",
 to ensure that...
 a. They walk properly toward those who are outside - cf. 1 Pe 2:12
 b. They lack nothing - cf. Ro 13:8
 
3. That this requires diligence is evident from the word "aspire"
 (study, KJV) in verse 11...
 a. A word meaning "to be ambitious"
 b. As translated in the NASB (to make it your ambition)
 
[In three particular areas does Paul want them to be ambitious, the
first being...]
 
I. TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE
 
 A. AN APPARENT PARADOX...
 1. For the phrase "quiet life" suggests a calmness, a serenity
 2. Yet for this we are to be "ambitious", apply diligent effort, 
 which seems to be contrary to the idea of quietness, calm
 -- The "quiet life", like many good things, does not come without
 concerted effort
 
  B. AN ADMIRABLE GOAL...
 1. As much as possible, to live peaceably with all men - Ro 12:18;
 14:19; He 12:14
 a. Though such is not always the case
 b. As Paul found out even in Thessalonica - cf. Ac 17:1-6
 2. For which we are to diligently pray - 1 Ti 2:1-2
 a. That we might live quiet and peaceful lives
 b. That we might live such in all godliness and honesty
 3. A quiet and peaceful life is more likely if we:
 a. Seek first the kingdom of God - Mt 6:25-34
 1) Which requires setting our priorities
 2) Which requires saying no to many distractions
 b. Learn contentment in Christ - Ph 4:11-13; 1 Ti 6:6-10
 c. Overcome anxiety through prayer - Ph 4:6-7 
  -- The search for "simplicity" is a popular trend today; for the
 Christian, it is to be more than just a trend, but a way of
 life conducive to godliness and honesty
 
[As we "aspire" to lead a quiet life, we cannot do so unless we also
give diligence...]
 
II. TO MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS
 
 A. THERE IS A PLACE FOR LOVING CONCERN...
 1. As we watch out for one another's welfare - Ph 2:4
 2. As we seek to help each other overcome our weaknesses - Ga 6:
 1-2
 -- Therefore we should not construe the words in our text to mean 
 that we should not seek to reprove, rebuke, or to restore an 
 erring brother - cf. Ja 5:19-20
 
 B. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR NOSY INTERFERENCE...
 1. Paul is warning against becoming "busybodies", people who have
 nothing to do but interfere in the affairs of others
 2. A problem that often existed in the early church
 a. Even at Thessalonica - 2 Th 3:11-12
 b. Which Peter lumped together with murderers, thieves, etc. 
 - 1 Pe 4:15
 3. A danger especially when one is not focused on their own 
 business
 a. Which is why Paul refused to let churches support younger 
 widows - 1 Ti 5:11-14
 b. Which is why Paul instructed the older women to properly 
 teach the younger women their responsibilities - Ti 2:3-5
 -- The peace and quiet we desire in our lives and in our churches
 cannot exist unless we maintain a proper distinction between
 brotherly concern and becoming "busybodies"
 
[It certainly helps to maintain that distinction if we "aspire"...]
 
III. TO WORK WITH OUR OWN HANDS
 
 A. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMAND...
 1. To provide for our families - cf. 1 Ti 5:8
 2. To help the less fortunate - Ep 4:28; Ac 20:34-35
 -- Through example and precept, Paul taught the early Christians 
 to support themselves and not be dependent upon others
 
 B. THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS COMMAND...
 1. Failing to provide for our families makes us worse than 
 unbelievers - 1 Ti 5:8
 2. Refusing to work was grounds for church discipline, just like
 adultery, extortion, etc. - 2 Th 3:10-14; 1 Co 5:11
 -- While we may occasionally need assistance from our brethren 
 (even our government), we are not to make it a practice to 
 "live off welfare"
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With diligence, therefore, we are to "aspire"...
 a. To lead a quiet life
 b. To mind our own business
 c. To work with our own hands
 
2. Again, the purpose behind these instructions is two-fold...
 a. That we might walk properly toward those who are outside - 1 Th
 4:12a
 b. That we might lack nothing - 1 Th 4:12b
 
For the sake of our reputation as Christians, as well as for own well-
being while we sojourn here on earth, we must heed this exhortation to
walk in diligence!

The Comfort Of Christ's Coming (4:13-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In previous studies we've noted that Paul makes frequent mention of
 the second coming of Christ in this epistle to the Thessalonians...
 a. In every chapter there is some reference to this great event
 b. So far we have seen the following references: 1 Th 1:10; 2:19; 
 3:13
 
2. In our text for this lesson, Paul discusses "The Comfort Of Christ's
 Coming"...
 a. How we ought to be comforted by the "fact" of His coming
 b. How we should be comforted by the "events" of His coming
 
[Our text is 1 Th 4:13-18, a well-known passage often read at funerals. 
And rightly so, for it deals with...]
 
I. THE PROBLEM OF SORROW (13)
 
 A. THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES IS GREAT...
 1. The sorrow is great, the grief is so hard to bear
 2. It is the most stressful event that one can endure
 
 B. THE CHRISTIAN IS NOT IMMUNE TO SORROW...
 1. We experience the sorrow of separation - e.g., Ac 20:37-38
 2. But we need not experience the sorrow of desperation
 a. The despair of having no hope
 b. The despair of not ever seeing a loved one again
 
[What can alleviate the problem of sorrow? It is knowledge concerning
the events of Christ's coming; and so Paul does not want them to be
ignorant concerning...]
 
II. THE PROMISE FOR THOSE ASLEEP (14-15)
 
 A. GOD WILL BRING THEM WITH JESUS...
 1. Just as He raised Jesus from the dead, so He will bring those 
 who "sleep in Jesus"!
 a. In this text, he limits his discussion to the righteous dead
 b. Elsewhere, we read of the of resurrection of the wicked 
 - e.g., Jn 5:28-29
 2. What do the terms "fallen asleep" and "sleep in Jesus" mean?
 a. The scriptures often speak of death as a "sleep"
 1) Mt 27:52 - ...bodies of the saints who had "fallen 
 asleep"
 2) Jn 11:11-14 - Jesus says of dead Lazarus, "our friend 
 sleeps"
 3) Ac 7:60 - As Stephen is stoned to death, it is said "he 
 fell asleep"
 b. Some believe these passages support the doctrine of "soul
 sleeping"
 1) That souls are unconscious between death and the 
 resurrection
 2) Not to be confused with the doctrine held by JW's, who 
 teach there is no consciousness until the resurrection 
 because the dead cease to exist
 c. Yet the following points should be carefully noted:
 1) Nowhere do the Scriptures say that the soul of the 
 departed one fell asleep
 a) It was the person who "fell asleep"
 b) Thus it can have reference to the body, not the soul
 2) The term "sleep" is a figurative reference, and a very
 appropriate one:
 a) For sleep implies REST...
 1) When one sleeps literally, there is rest from 
 one's labor
 2) So it is that the dead also "rest from their 
 labors" - cf. Re 14:13
 b) For sleep implies a CEASING OF PARTICIPATION...
 1) In literal sleep, one ceases in the activities 
 pertaining to the sphere in which one has been busy 
 during the hours of wakefulness
 2) So it is with the dead, they are no longer active 
 in the world which they left
 c) For sleep is generally a PRELUDE TO AN AWAKENING...
 1) In literal sleep, it is followed by an "awakening"
 2) So it is with death:
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