Ecclesiastes 9:5
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
I notice that instead of responding to the scriptures and information that is presented, you don't respond to them, but just jump to another scripture. The one that you have presented above is popular with those who believe in annihilation and soul-sleep. However, it is not saying what you think it does and does not support yours claim.
Those who have died have “no further reward” in this life; they no longer have the ability to enjoy life like those who are living. Eventually, “even their name is forgotten” (
Ecclesiastes 9:5).
before dust returns to the earth as it was before and the life-breath returns to God who gave it.
"One day
the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And
the rich man also died and was buried.
In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.
The above is an excerpt from the rich man and Lazarus. It states that both men died, with Lazarus' spirit being taken by the angels to Abraham's side and the rich man's spirit being in Hades in torment in flame. It is the body that returns to the dust of the earth and it is the spirit of the righteous who returns to the Lord. As the Lord revealed to us with the event of the rich man and Lazarus, the spirits of the unrighteous go down into Sheol/Hades. Below are the characteristics of Sheol/Hades
Characteristics of:
Is down under the earth - Gen.37:35, 42:38, 44:29, 44::31, Num.16:30, 16:33, Deut.32:22, 1 Sam.2:6, 2 kings 2:6, Job 11:7-8, 17:16, Ps.30:3, 86:13, Prov.9:18, 15:24, Isa.5:14, 14:9, 14:11, 14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17, Ezk.32:21, Ezk.32:27, Mt.11:23, Lk.10:15,
Has multiple levels - Deut.32:22, Job 11:7-8,
Referred to as the pit - Job 17:13, Ps.30:3, Prov.1:12, Isa.14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17
Has Chambers - Prov.7:27
Has Gates/Bars - Job 17:16, Isa.38:10, Mt.16:18
A place of torment in fire – Lk.16:23-24
Is a literal entity representing the same location – Rev.6:8, 20:14
Sheol (sheh-ole') The underworld (place to which the spirits of people descend at death)
Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates -- grave, hell, pit.
Hades (hah'-dace) The unseen world:
hádēs (from
1 /A "not" and
idein/eidō, "see") – properly, the "unseen place," referring to the (invisible) realm in which the unrighteous dead reside, i.e. the present dwelling place of all the departed (deceased);
Hades.
I would think if you are in heaven you would praise the Lord but this verse says the dead do not praise the Lord.
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or
under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it."
"And I heard every creature in heaven, and on earth, and
under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them,
saying'
To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If the spirits of the unrighteous dead were sleeping, there would be no need to mention them as not being worthy to open the scroll. The reference to those "under the earth," in the three scriptures above, is in reference to those in Sheol/Hades. Notice that in one of the scriptures it is said that they will sing praises to God along with those in heaven and on the earth. Then in the last scripture, all those in heaven, on earth and under the earth will bow their knee to Jesus and confess that He is Lord. Kind of hard to do if the dead know nothing at all.
It is not a conscience spirit that returns to heaven but the breath of life that God gave as when God created Adam he used the dust of the ground then breathed into man the breath of life then man became a living soul. We are told by the Bible the dead know nothing meaning they have no memory or aware of anything.
"And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.
And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed."
Taking into consideration the above scripture, it demonstrates that these under the altar are the spirits/souls of those who were killed on the earth and they are having a conversation with the Lord. Once again, kind of hard to have a conversation with the Lord if you are asleep and know nothing.
Jesus referred to death as a sleep and unless you dream you are unaware of what is going on around you until you wake up the next morning and life that you are aware of picks up.
Everywhere that the word sleep is used regarding the dead, is referring to the body only. At the time of death, the spirit departs from the body and goes to its respective place.
"But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
Her spirit returned, and at once she got up."
"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit."
From your posts, I can see that you have been adopting the teachings of annihilationists and those who believe in soul-sleep. If you are going to respond to this, I would appreciate it if you address what I have written and not jump to other scriptures.