Because of the original sin of man, we are born into this world incomplete. Once we are born again of God's Spirit then we are complete in him. Then we have not only body and soul (breath life) but also Spirit. This is a research topic detailing what happens when a person dies, or as the bible so graciously states, when one "falls asleep"
This is a precise description not only because of the gentle nature of the statement, but the accuracy that it is written since those who were born again and have died will be raised again at the return of Christ. It's as if they were only asleep and will be awakened.
This chart shows when the three individual parts of our life begins, and what happens to our body, our soul, and our spirit when we die. Soul and Spirit are not the same. In order to participate in the "Spirit" category you MUST be born again by acting on Romans 10:9-10
Take a look at the chart and the scriptures that pertain to each section:
| What Happens When a Person ‘Falls Asleep’ (Dies)? | Life | Death |
| Body | Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground… | Genesis 3:19 … for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was… |
| Soul | Genesis 2: 7 And the LORD God… …breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. | Psalm 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Ecclesiastes 9:5 …the dead know not any thing… |
| Spirit | Genesis 2:27 So God created man in his own image [Which is Spirit], in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. John 4:24 God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. | Ecclesiastes 12:7 … and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. |
The body was formed by God from the dust of the earth. It returns unto the earth.
The soul was made when God breathed into man. The last breath returns unto the air.
The spirit was created in man by God. It returns unto God who gave it.
Isaiah 43:7b
… for I [God] have created him [man] for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
This describes the formed, made, and created that God performed to make us complete. He formed our bodies, made us breathe with our soul life, and created Spirit within us when we were saved.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
13…But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The Word of God says that a person ‘falls asleep’ when they die. We are also instructed to sorrow not, knowing the comfort that we will again see the person at the return of Christ.
Acts 13:36
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.
David fell asleep just as his fathers (forefathers) did and awaits the return. Next we will see what will happen when Christ returns:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord [Jesus Christ] himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
"The dead in Christ" are those who were born again and have fallen asleep.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Those who are born again and still alive will be caught up together with Christ.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
These are the words that we are to use to comfort one another regarding those who have died. It is very reassuring to know that we will see them again when Jesus comes to gather his followers.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
It is at this point when we will see our friends and relatives who have ‘fallen asleep’ but not before then.
Contrary to popular belief, they are not watching over us, protecting us, or doing anything else. The Word speaks very clearly - the dead are in fact dead and not until Christ returns will those born again believers be risen. If they were already in heaven, then there would be no need for Christ to return.
It is very comforting to know what happens when a person falls asleep, and that you will see them again at the "Gathering Together" Let's comfort one another with these words.
God Bless You
You've shined the brightest light upon the darkest subject.
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