What is Death?

The Bible provides a peek into understanding the state of those who die and wait for the resurrection at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist tells us that our thoughts perish at death in Psalms 146:4. In addition, the dead do not praise the Lord in Psalms 115:17. Certainly if one were to live in the state between death and resurrection, that one would praise God and have cognitive function.

Death as Sleep

In addition to the above, we should note that many Bible writers referred to the state of those in death as "sleep." For example in Psalms 13:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, Matthew 27:52. Even Jesus refers to it as sleep in John 11:11-14.

Thus from the above we conclude that the period between death and resurrection is unconscious because our thoughts perish, and it is a sleep that we shall awaken from because the many Bible writers call it that. Thus it is an unconscious sleep or sometimes referred to as a dreamless sleep.

Awaking to Jesus

But this is good news. For sin created death, but the resurrection of Jesus turned death into just a mere sleep. (2 Timothy 1:10) And in a little while we will see our Redeemer coming back to wake us up. We may lie down and rest, but we will wake up and the trumpet blast of our Savior and Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)