Jesus Christ speaks of the dead as sleeping. When a person dies, their thoughts perish. They no longer have any memory, thoughts, or feelings, such as love, happiness, sorrow, or anger. Therefore, those who have died do not praise or curse God, because they are asleep until the resurrection. Jesus Christ will begin to resurrect his followers at his second coming. Everyone will be resurrected in the proper order, depending on when they lived, and everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

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What happens after death:
 
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10  The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. The dead do not feel love or hatred, nor do they have knowledge or wisdom.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:18-20  When a man or an animal dies, they return to the dust of the earth.
 
Resurrection will occur at an appointed time:
 
John 6:39-40, 44  At the last day, Jesus Christ will resurrect individuals that his Father has given to him. The resurrection has not happened yet. The dead who will be accounted righteous and resurrected are currently in their graves.
 
Acts 24:15  Eventually, everyone who has lived will be resurrected.
 
Additional references for further study:
 
Psalm 146:4
Psalm 115:17
Ezekiel 18:4, 20
John 11:11-14, 23-26
Daniel 12:1-2
Isaiah 38:17-19
 
If you enjoyed this study, you may also be interested in the study topics titled: What is Hell? and, Soul and Spirit.

 

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