Nyquil Sheol
and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53 NASB
Who had fallen asleep – Matthew is the only gospel account that includes this very odd event. You would think that bodies coming out of tombs would have left a memorable impression on many believers and would have been included in at least some of the other gospels. But there is no record of this anywhere else. If that weren’t strange enough, notice the timing of Matthew’s record. The text suggests that these saints (in Hebrew – holy ones) came out of the tombs at the death of Yeshua but didn’t enter the city until after the resurrection. What did they do for those three days? Can you imagine the terror of seeing formerly dead people wandering around for several days? And what happened to them afterward? Matthew says nothing more. As R. T. France notes, this text “leaves plenty of unanswered questions for the historically minded interpreter.”[1]
We may never know whether Matthew intended this to be symbolic of the new life in Yeshua or whether he was actually reporting such a strange event. We will leave those questions behind because we want to concentrate on an implication in Matthew’s statement; an implication that suggests the common Christian idea of death isn’t quite what the first century authors may have thought. The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels translation of this verse says that these saints were “sleeping in the dusty ground.” The metaphorical use of the term “sleep” means, of course, that they were dead and buried. But notice the implication that these people are asleep. They are not extinguished, eliminated or extinct. In the same way that Yeshua approaches the son of the widow of Nain and the daughter of Jarius, we find that the dead are not really dead. They are asleep. Paul uses the same terminology. What we discover is that the Jewish view of life does not end at the grave. Of course, Christians also believe in a life after death, but it seems to me that we treat the dead very differently than the kind of treatment we see in the gospels. To be asleep is to still be present, but unconscious. That is very different than being “departed.”
It seems to me that the idea of the sleeping dead is much more in line with the Old Testament concept of Sheol. Sheol is the place of the dead. Everyone goes there when they die. The population of Sheol is waiting for Judgment Day. While they wait, they sleep.
When I have a really bad cold, I take Nyquil. Something amazing happens when I go to sleep. I do not dream. I simply close my eyes and then, eight hours later, open them. I have no awareness at all that time has passed. What if I drank Nyquil and slept for a week. Without dreams I would have no sense of the passage of time when I woke. I simply went to sleep one day and woke up on another day.
What if Sheol is like Nyquil sleep. What if we simply go to sleep (die) and then sometime later, perhaps thousands of years later, we wake. From our perspective, we have merely been waiting without any consciousness of the time. The only ones who are aware of the length of time we have been dead are those who are still alive. Perhaps the idea of Nyquil sleep is much closer to the biblical idea of death than we imagine. After all, doesn’t Yeshua speak to the dead as if they are simply asleep? Doesn’t He actually say that the daughter of Jarius is just asleep when everyone knows she is dead? Doesn’t He just wake people up?
Now I know that there is the strange comment to the “thief” on the cross. Someday we will have to deal with that one. But in the meantime, doesn’t sleep portray the biblical view of death far more accurately than our contemporary idea of extinction?
Topical Index: death, sleep, Sheol, Matthew 27:52-53
Gabe,
Thank you for continued dialogue and remarks. I do appreciate them very much. I was hoping for interactions with others also.
No worries on the continued debate, I love to explore things as deep as we can. Pain will either push one into the depths of bitterness or grief or into the depths of God and His word. You would have to ask my 2nd wife and daughter which one I have done, because I am not going to tell 🙂 .
I need to mention this before we continue our discussion on this subject and hopefully this we help you understand what I am trying to say and what I am not saying. I do not believe that heaven is up there somewhere awaiting our arrival. Biblical and Hebraic understanding is NOT to see heaven as up there and looking down on us, but as vitally interconnected with our earth realm. Heaven and earth were made for each other by God. They are intimately in relationship with one another. I saw a renewed heaven and a renewed earth. . . The ancient Hebrews were not uncomfortable with the supernatural realm meshing and being a part of the earth realm as we moderns are. The were a people of radical awe and amazement. See N. T. Wright’s book, ‘Surprised By Hope’ for a more thorough look at this concept of the ancient Hebrews. I wrote a little snippet above from his book.
Now to the passages you brought up above. First, I think is of vital importance to remember that the Hebrew language is a very concrete and yet a highly emotive language.
In relationship to the book of Ecclesiastes. I believe the book of Ecclesiastes sounds like the bitterness of a man who pursued His way and pleasure and not God’s, and this is his diatribe of the emptiness that it brings and the resulting chasing after the wind.
The Psalms are so beautiful in their full range of emotions of prayers, praise, lament, complaint and prophetic utterances. Are we to take them literally? We probably need to look at the passages you mentioned closely and see what category they fall into.
The book of Job has been one that I have wrestled with for many years. I have heard that this book is hard to translate because it is all over the place. It is a highly volatile book full of high emotions on a theme that cuts to the heart of all of us “suffering and why do the righteous suffer.” the dialogue of Job is full of pathos and gut wrenching emotions. Should we not keep that tension when we read these passages?
The Isaiah 38 passage is a writing of Hezekiah after he had recovered from a sickness!
The passages in the Apostolic Writings.
The one Yeshua spoke in the Gospel of John is very powerful and over the top! I believe we can look at this as very powerful symbolic language that speaks of the majesty, authority and power of His voice to call all to resurrection and account.
The Matthew text is not a proof text to support consciousness or unconsciousness after death.
Peter’s sermon and proclamation in Acts 2 is using David’s prophetic utterances in Psalm 16 and 110. Peter communicates that David is not talking about himself, but he was prophesying about the resurrection of Messiah! The point of the passage is not to prove whether one has or does not have consciousness and awareness after death.
Paul and his whole discussion in 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the resurrection of Messiah and, because of His, their eventual resurrection is not to convince those believers about consciousness or lack of consciousness when they die. The whole issue is that King Yeshua was raised, and therefore, their faith is not in vain and that this enemy will be made subject to the Father, because of Yeshua’s obedience to deliver the kingdom to God the Father, by destroying every rule and every authority and power and that this last enemy to be destroyed will be death. Then Yeshua will also subject himself to the Father, that God may be all in all. A little later on he writes about different kinds of bodies and their glory and then he shares about the resurrection from the dead, perishable to imperishable, dishonor to glory. And then he contrasts the first Adam to the last Adam. Then we come to the passage you mentioned, and then shortly after this he mentions the victory that is theirs through Messiah. Lastly, he finishes up this section with the reason he wrote so extensively about the resurrection. . . “THEREFORE, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (Emphasis mine)
On an observation on concerning those who are asleep and that they will be awakened at the resurrection, Does not being asleep and being awakened presuppose some form of awareness and consciousness? Brother Robert Lafoy had already brought this up in a earlier comment.
One thing that I can see powerfully in the text is that from God’s standpoint our bodies are asleep and He is the only One who can call them to wakefulness!
The culture that God delivered the people of Jacob and a mixed multitude from was a culture that was firmly focused on death and the afterlife. He is the God of life and is Holy and Distinct from the nations! His message is how to choose life and to love Him and one another as free people. This must be our message and focus too! My intention throughout this conversation was not to present a theological orientation of heaven or hell, but to simply suggest that there are hints and clues that speak of our consciousness and awareness before the One who loves us after our going to sleep. Nothing more and nothing less. I shared my experiences with my first beloved with this intention, suggesting that there is more going on then we can fully know in this life.
In His Care, Brian
Moses, Abraham and Noah all have something in common. These were men or “real” people- just like you and me. Moses had a story. Abraham had a story. And Noah had a story to tell. G-d was actively involved with all three of these men. Are there only these three? Nope. There is Jan, and Gabe and Brian and Patrick and Skip and Michael and Carl. G-d is intimately and intricately involved in all of our lives accomplishing the purpose of His will (which is to conform us all into the image of the Son) in each of our lives.
Shock of shocks! I am not Billy Graham and Billy is grateful he is not me ( I think!). No, I am what I am and who I am by the grace of G-d. I serve a very unique purpose in this world and so do who- whoever you are. My story is not over yet because I am still breathing. But every day I add another chapter and a deeper dimension in my walk with the very present ONE.
I too have several “crisis” stories to share concerning the “nearness” of G-d. O yes friends, He is very real and very dear to me (too!). No details, but rather let us all return to “what do the scriptures say?” This is where our focus needs to stay. I have had some marvelous times with our LORD and have seen “both” the valley and the mountaintop! (lol!) Peoples..- “it’s all good!” lol! It’s all good because G-d is good and He is the Giver and Sustainer of life! His words are true- “I have come that you (Skip, Brian, Gabe, Mary, Jan, Michael, Patrick) might have life and have it to the top and overflowing..
Is Heaven real? Is Hell? What about the cross? Did Jesus shed real blood? and were those real nails? (no screaming allowed…- right?) lol! Oh, friends- isn’t it wonderful to know Him in this life? All we get here is not even 10% of the iceberg. Just glimpses of glory here and there.. kairos moments of life- just enough to sustain us and motivate us and for our Father to let us know “I AM here!”
Back to the Book! What does the scripture teach about Heaven? What does the scripture say about Hell? Why don’t we study G-d’s book and find out for ourselves? – “it’s in there!”
Paul’s testimony was this: ~ I know a man in Christ (was he speaking of himself?) who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know–God knows… Who was snatched up to Paradise and heard words that are unspeakable, because it is not authorized for a man to speak them. ~ Now friends, – what was that all about? (I ‘spose we would have to find that man and ask him!)
But what if we were told just exactly/presactly what Heaven is like? Right down to the menu for “what’s for breakfast?” lol! – I believe we will never eat the same thing twice!
Did Yeshua eat something after He was resurrected from the tomb? Yes, He did. Did Yeshua ascend to Heaven in His new resurrected body? Yes, He did. And He, brothers and sisters is the first fruits of them who are asleep. First fruits means there are more to follow.
Listen intently to these words- straight from the Lamb’s Book of Life.. (our Bible): O death- where is your sting? O grave- where is your victory? To die (are you listening intently?) is gain! To die is gain! Better is the day of one’s death!- Why would that be? Because Heaven is a perfect place! Mr./M’am..- no more tears! An eternal Hallelujah and an eternal honeymoon with our Heavenly Boaz, our Near Kinsman-Redeemer! There is a wedding banquet we (who have accepted His invitation) are soon to attend! Won’t be beany-weenies or vienna sausages either! lol! And music? And dancing? And wine? How about describing this for me, someone..- “joy unspeakable and full of glory!”
~ But as it is written, (I just love those three words: -it is written..) “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that G-d has prepared for those who love Him.” ~ (1 Corinthians 2.9)
Carl,
Thank you for your comments.
My point of writng all that I did has been indicated above. Honoring my beloved’s memory was part of the reason too! The discussion on my side was not so much about heaven or hell, but is there consciousness in the interim between going to sleep and the final resurrection. Honestly, I believe the more poignant message of the Apostolic Writings is that there is going to be a final resurrection and we are going to give an account of the deeds that we have done in our bodies, whether they have been good or evil! This knowledge Biblically speaking should lead to an understanding in the here and now on how we honor this temple of the Holy Spirit in righteous living. This should brings us to a place of soberness and joy. Our deeds to do count in this world and the world to come! Consciousness or unconsciousness after death in the interim before the final resurrection is not the main thrust or concern of the Apostolic Writings
In retrospect, I am amazed when I think about the emphasis I used to place on the “afterlife” when I attended church. I looked at life so differently then, and maybe I misunderstood the preaching around heaven when I took it to mean that all the problems in living I experience now, all my “character flaws”, all I did not understand properly in the Bible, and all my unresolved issues would be resolved in heaven. I could live now knowing that I would become perfected in heaven, and not to worry about being perfect here because God does all that in His time. If I cannot conquer sin in my life, it was not my doings anyway, it is God who works to will in my life. I can’t pick myself up by my bootstraps and try harder to be “good” because until God does it for me, it’s a waste of my time and effort. WHAT??? My views on this type of doctrine is that this leads to passive, checkwriters who think Christianity is about accumulation of “souls”/”fruit” showing up in a building at “the appointed time” with a mob mentality of conformity to one particular concentration in the Scriptures, and no “heretics” are allowed to infect the rest of the attendees with “anti-Christian” attitudes or false doctrine such as dietary holiness, and certainly questioning why we attend church on Sunday vs. Saturday.
I don’t think I was too different from many still in the status quo traditional church, in my putting all this together, along with the huge emphasis on grace, to mean that don’t worry about abiding by the Law because heaven will take care of all that! Is it any wonder so many “christians” today go about their business creating their own personal constitution for living? What we “get them” with, we have to continue feeding/entertaining them with. Otherwise, questions arise that lead to “backsliding” and getting your eyes off Jesus.
Now,my character flaws (actually, my sins I refuse to give up!), my lack of understanding (my lack of Biblical knowledge through lack of study), all my questions, etc…are issues that keep me looking to the Author and Finisher of my faith!!But that does not mean I just wait to be instantly transported up yonder to sit and fish in the Crystal Sea simply because I go to church on Sunday and don’t drink, smoke or cuss. In other words, if I lose focus on this life and focus on the “next”, I will miss the point…this is the life given by our Father to live for His revealed plan and purpose now. That plan and purpose has been revealed to all in the pages of Scripture and to do all we do for His glory and honor, because the King alone is worthy to receive such. After having done all that, He takes care of “the rest”!
I do not dismiss the individual stories of the precious ones here. But these are personal experiences that can never replace the instruction, plan and purpose corporately revealed to the people of the Kingdom. Personally, I would love to meet those dearly departed to hear their side of this discussion, and I am glad to realize the comfort our Father is able to provide for us. I just think that like many other aspects or religious teaching, some of this “personalism” morphed into doctrinal areas that they were never intended to be applied corporately.
May I add that I do think sharing these experiences are helpful for discussion and should always be welcome as long as they remain in that realm.
Our great reward is YWHW and His Kingdom. Blessings to all in the Name of YHWH.
Mary,
Thank you for sharing your comments.
My intent for writing was for dialogue and challenge. I want to be challenged in my thinking and understanding and hopefully that will lead to growth and obedience. Pain and lost will allow you to have an opportunity to know Him in ways you never would. I would not have chosen that journey, but I would not trade it for the world! It was my journey that the Father allowed me to take with her and others during that time. Hopefully, my pain and lost will become others joy and gain.
This was the first time I ever shared this story in a public format like this and I appreciate every ones sensitivity. It made me feel very vulnerable and made me second guess myself and my motives. YHWH is King and I want to bring all my motives and life experiences under His scrutiny and revealed instructions and teachings. I was never trying to make a theological statement or prove a theory about heaven or hell through my story, but discuss are awareness or lack thereof when we fall asleep and wait in the interim for the resurrection from the dead. Thanks again for your input.
Shalom!
Hi Brian,
Please ,oh Please do not think that comment was aimed at what you shared. I stated that I do not dismiss what either you or Jan shared and in no way, did I mean to cast shadows of doubt on either of you or to in any way glance sideways at your reputations as brother and sister in Messiah.
Without doubt, life contains many experiences that can be explained (or not) by supernatural happenings, Scripture tells of many such occurences and we would be limiting YHWH by denying them by explaining them away with scientific or natural reasoning. My point is that many have been duped into an overarching emphasis in the supernatural and have fallen prey to false prophets who capitalize on narrow and almost occultic views of Scriptural content wrapped in christian theology.
I so appreciate your comments and your openess to share your life with us.