NOTE. 1 Peter 3.19 is one of the deep verses of the Bible, and deserves further explanation. Rather than detouring from our study of soul sleep, I have appended my additional comments about 1 Peter 3.19 at the bottom of this page. …Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison
1 Pet 3.19b
The Lord’s statement that a believer in Him would “never die” is meaningless if it means that, even though your soul is alive, you will have ZERO awareness of your Lord and Savior. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11.25-25
How is it possible to be “absent from the body and present with the Lord" if our souls merely sleep?
Is Heaven right now nothing more than a huge dormitory of sleeping souls?
Moreover, the martyrs, despite being "dead,” have their own memories, and fully recollect what happened to them in their earthly state. Such things would be impossible if they were merely asleep. When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Rev 6.9
As you read the verse alongside, note that the writer [apostle John] not only saw the souls of the martyrs, but also recorded that they “lived and reigned.” And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev 20.4
Read Psalm 116.15. Ask yourself WHY the death of believers would be precious in God’s sight if their souls were only moving into a state of slumber and unconsciousness? Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. Ps 116.15
In the passage alongside, Stephen is about to be
executed. He sees Jesus “standing” at the right hand of God.
Usually the Bible describes the resurrected Jesus as being seated at the right hand of God [Hebrews 1.3, for example]. But Stephen is about to die for his testimony, and so Lord Jesus stands in preparedness to welcome him home.
In verse 59, Stephen calls to Jesus to receive his spirit. Jesus stands, with His arms stretched out, to do just that.
Now ask yourself – Did Stephen enter Heaven that day as merely an unconscious sleeper? Or did he rush, joyously awake and aware, to worship at the feet of His Savior? But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Ac 7.55-56, 59
Appendix: Further Comments About 1 Peter 3.19 & Related Matters
Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust,
That He might bring us to God,
Being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison
1 Pet 3.18-19
In 1 Pet 3.19 [quoted above]
the word “preached” [Greek kerusso] merely means to function as a herald, and make an announcement.
Therefore, Jesus made an announcement to
the spirits in prison that something wonderful had just occurred.
In my view, that “something” could have been nothing less than the Good News of His atoning death, and soon-to-be resurrection. Strong’s 2784 kerusso
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth
Who were those “spirits” in 1 Pet 3.19? I believe they were the Old Testament saints – Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, and the like.
Why were they NOT in Heaven? Because their sins had not yet been atoned for.
Remember – the Old Testament’s sacrificial system could not “take away” sins [Heb. 10.4]. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins Heb 10.4
In Leviticus 17.11, the word “atonement” [Hebrew kaphar] means to “cover” sin – NOT cleanse it.
You might say that the Old Testament saints were “saved on credit.” That is, they were saved in anticipation of the day when Messiah Jesus would “pay the bill” by dying on their behalf – the ultimate price to which all the Old Testament sacrifices pointed. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement [kaphar] for your souls Lev 17.11a
Thus, after His crucifixion, Jesus went to them in Hades to announce that He had just paid the full price of their sin debt. After His resurrection, Jesus took those Old Testament saints with Him to Heaven. The beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Lk 16.22-23
Thus, the compartment of Hades known as Abraham’s bosom is now empty.
The OTHER compartment of Hades, where the rich man was, is still very much occupied. Indeed, it is the place where the souls of unsaved people go, pending their final Judgment. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Rev 20.11a, 20.13b
There’s more to be said, but I hope this serves to fortify you against the day when one of Satan’s people might seek to attack you, or someone you love, on this issue