The Bible isn’t completely clear on the state of consciousness after death, which means that care needs to be taken not to be too dogmatic on one position or another. Also, for Christians, the state of the soul after death should not trouble them too much because, in one way or another, they are in the Lord’s care until Judgment.
That said, some passages indicate to me that souls that await resurrection and Judgment are conscious and aware of their state. For me, the alternate view that souls are in a kind of sleep state and unaware of where they are, lacks scriptural support. Even though the Bible does refer to those who have fallen asleep (1 Thessalonians 3:13-18), it is usually a reference to their physical state, not their soul. That is because dead bodies look asleep when the soul departs. In Matthew 27:52, we read that certain saints came alive at the time of Jesus’ death. In observing the passage, we learn that their bodies were asleep, not their souls.
Having said this, are their passages that support consciousness after death? One of the most familiar passages used to support consciousness after death is Luke 16:19-31, in which Jesus speaks about Lazarus and the rich man. Although I believe this passage may be a parable, that doesn’t mean it is void of any truth on this topic. Jesus seems to teach this account of Lazarus and the rich man without any worries that that people of His day would get stuck arguing with him about why Lazarus and the rich man are conscious after death. Perhaps this is because most, including Jesus, believed in consciousness after death.
Similarly, Revelation 6:9-11 may also indirectly support consciousness after death. Although this is a figurative passage and the main point is about the timing of God’s justice, the Christian souls crying out under the alter may reveal an accepted understanding of consciousness after death by the early Christians. It makes sense that God uses an already accepted knowledge of the state of the soul to make a point about His justice. John 11:23-27 is quite an interesting passage where Jesus and His friend Mary have a conversation about resurrection. Mary, in this conversation, reveals she believed that Lazarus was either non-existent or unconscious until the Day of Judgment. However, Jesus corrects her by saying that those who believe in him live on past their physical death. So, if Christians continue to live even after they die, wouldn’t that indicate consciousness at some level?
For me, one of the stronger arguments for consciousness after death is in Philippians 1:21-26, where Paul writes, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again, your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.” Although Paul wanted to live on for the sake of others, he was eager to pass on so that he could be at home with the Lord. He describes this state as “gain” and as “better”. It doesn’t make much sense for Paul to long to be with Christ if he would not experience that state as gain or as better than living here in this life. It seems that Paul was very much expecting to share the benefit of being with the Lord consciously.
Similarly, when Jesus was on the cross, he told one of the thieves, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”. What is paradise if you don’t experience it? It doesn’t make much sense for the thief to pass on to paradise and not actually be aware of it or to be able to enjoy it. It makes much more sense that after the thief died, he was conscious and able to experience the joy of being in paradise with Jesus fully.
If there is no consciousness after death, what do you make of the Moses and Elijah meeting with Jesus despite being physically dead for several hundred years? At the time of the transfiguration, it’s pretty clear they were conscious, could communicate and be involved in the work of Jesus. Knowing that Moses and Elijah are conscious beyond the grave further validates what Jesus said in Mark 12:24-27 that God “is not the God of the dead, but of the living…”. Finally, after listing many heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, the writer in chapter 12 likens the Christian faith to a race. In doing so, he describes the heroes of faith to a great cloud of witnesses that are watching us race and are encouraging us every step of the way so that together with them, we can be made perfect (11:39-40). These witnesses may not be literally watching us live out our lives on earth, but they are there on the other side of death, conscious and willing us on to the finishing line so that we can finish strong in the Lord. Today, Christians who die in Lord also join the stands and become a part of the great cloud of witnesses.
Final Thoughts:
For us who have lost loved ones in the Lord, we can be assured that they are now with the Jesus in a paradise awaiting the Day of Judgment (Remember there is no condemnation for those in Christ Romans 8:1). In this place, they are aware, enjoying the benefits, and willing us on and eagerly waiting for us to join them with Christ.
