The Cross and the State of the DeadThe relationship between the cross of Christ and the state of the dead as sleep is deeply rooted in the Bible’s picture of God’s character—His justice, mercy, and redeeming love. When we look at the cross through Scripture, and through the thoughtful reflections of writers like Ellen G. White and C. S. Lewis, we see a consistent message: death is an enemy defeated by Christ, not a doorway to conscious life apart from Him. The cross reveals why humanity dies and how Christ restores life.Let’s walk through this carefully, compassionately and Biblically.________________________________________1. The Cross Reveals Why Death ExistsThe Bible teaches that death entered the world through sin.“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (NIV)At the cross, Jesus did not merely suffer physical pain—He bore the full weight of sin’s consequence, which is separation and death.Ellen G. White writes that Christ experienced the terrible sense of separation that sin brings between humanity and God. In The Desire of Ages she describes Christ on Calvary feeling the crushing burden of sin so intensely that His heart broke. In this sense, the cross reveals the true nature of death—the terrible result of separation from the Source of life, God.But the cross also reveals something else:God was willing to enter death itself to rescue us from it.________________________________________2. Scripture Describes Death as SleepThroughout the Bible, death is repeatedly described as sleep, emphasizing unconscious rest until resurrection.Jesus said of Lazarus:“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” — John 11:11 (NIV)Later He spoke plainly:“Lazarus is dead.” — John 11:14Other biblical passages echo the same idea:• Ecclesiastes 9:5 — “The dead know nothing.”• Psalm 13:3 — “I will sleep in death.”• Daniel 12:2 — “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake.”The metaphor is profound: sleep implies awakening. Death is not the final reality.________________________________________3. The Cross Guarantees the AwakeningBecause Christ died and rose again, death cannot permanently hold those who belong to Him.The resurrection of Jesus is the decisive victory.“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20Here Paul deliberately uses the same language: fallen asleep.This means the believer’s hope is not an immortal soul escaping death but a resurrection secured by Christ’s victory.Ellen G. White often described death as a peaceful rest for the faithful:“To the believer, death is but a small matter… Jesus speaks of it as if it were of little moment. ‘If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.’ To the Christian, death is but a sleep.” (The Desire of Ages)In this view, the cross removes the terror of death, transforming it into a temporary rest until the resurrection morning.________________________________________4. God’s Love and Mercy Revealed in the CrossAt Calvary we see not a harsh judge but a Father giving everything to redeem His children.“God wSend us your questions to be featured on the next podcast!Thank you for being part of the AskGod365 podcast community. We value you and appreciate greatly the time you are spending with us today. Please share your comments and questions at AskGod365.com Listen. Learn. Think. Grow. Together. AskGod365. Answers to life’s difficult questions.

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