Sleep: A Symbol of Death

…so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep.

“Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.

He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”

Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”

After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.”

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.