Now they were all weeping and mourning for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” (Luke 8:52)

This He said, and after this He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may awaken him from sleep.” (v. 11)

In the two different occasions written in Luke 8 and John 11, Jesus described the dead people as sleeping. It is not that He considered every dead person as sleeping.

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60)

God considers the death of His saints as sleep because they are to be resurrected to eternal life on the last day. We think that everyone dies. From God’s point of view, physical death means nothing. The saints already live eternal life at present because God always keeps His promises. Our resurrection to eternal life is already completed because of Christ. The kingdom of God is in our midst because Christ and we are united by the Holy Spirit.

Now He was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, and He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21)

Many Christians think that we must do something to get saved and we can lose salvation if we disobey. Many Christian cult groups believe that. Their leaders oppress their followers and make them unable to question their authority. But the Bible clearly tells us that it is the faith in God that gives us the eternal life. And this faith cannot be separated from the knowledge of God. We cannot believe in someone whom we do not know. But we do know God because of the Word and the Spirit. Moreover, God gave us the Bible so that we can meditate on His words every day.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (vv. 25-26)

So they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” (vv. 41-42)

I heard that the Roman Catholic church and the Jews believe that people must be buried when dead so that they can be resurrected. It is believed that the Roman Catholic authority dug out Luther’s bones and burned them. This is from misunderstanding the Bible. The saints are already living the eternal life. God made the world to build His kingdom. He will carry out His plan without any changes.

Then there was given to me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. (Revelation 11:1)

Christ came to us to preach the kingdom of God. Those who are His listened to Him. Our salvation is not from our free will. Anselm believed that all people have free will. That is why the Active Obedience of Christ leads people to slavery. We do not choose to believe in God. It is God who chose us. Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)