Q: Where was Lazarus' spirit before Jesus raised him, and after he died? If Lazarus was "sleeping," does this then mean that we will sleep before the general resurrection? If his spirit was not sleeping, was he in heaven, or hell?
A: Thank you for your question. The Bible does not specifically mention where the spirit of Lazarus was located for the four days between when he died and when Jesus raised him from the dead. As far as the death of Lazarus was concerned it was primarily to call attention to Jesus Christ being the Messiah rather than to determine where Lazarus' spirit was located. Referring to the death of Lazarus, Jesus said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it (John 11:4).” In fact, when Jesus was informed of Lazarus' sickness He intentionally delayed going to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, seemingly to make sure Lazarus had died before He arrived (John 11:6). Even after Jesus arrived in Bethany, He intended the focus to be on Himself and what He was about to do through Lazarus, not on the intermediate location of the spirit of Lazurus. Those who were family and friends of Lazarus were more focused on his death and not where his spirit was located. Finally, when Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead He said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me (John 11:41-42).” Lazarus was raised to glorify Jesus Christ and God the Father.
With that said, we can look to the story of another Lazarus, a beggar, who died in order to get an idea of what may have happened to the spirits of dead people in the time of Jesus Christ. In Luke 16, we have the story of the "Rich Man and Lazarus." In Luke 16:22-23, it says, "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." It appears that the intermediate state of the spirits of those who died went to either Abraham's Bosom or to Hades, depending on their spiritual condition. Abraham's Bosom is said to be an intermediate location of comfort where the righteous dead were located. It is possible that the spirit of Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead, was located in Abraham's Bosom for the four days between his death and resurrection. There is also Jesus telling the thief on the cross that "today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).” Perhaps, this is another intermediary location or another name for Abraham's Bosom or Heaven itself. Abraham's Bosom, Hades and Paradise have all been the topic of debate for centuries. I believe it is safe to assume that the spirit of Lazarus was most likely in a place of comfort regardless of where it was located.
The use of the term "sleeping" is just another word for death. In the case of Lazarus, Jesus clarified His use of the word. In John 11:11, Jesus said, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” The disciples mistakenly believed Lazarus to literally be asleep (John 11:12-13). However, Jesus clarifies what He meant in John 11:14. "Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead."" The Bible does not support the concept of "soul sleep," which is what some people believe takes place between death and the future resurrection of the dead. Remember, Lazarus died prior to Jesus' death on the cross. Therefore, any believers who died prior to His death could not enter the presence of God because our debt of sin had not yet been paid. However, when a Christian dies today they immediately go into the presence of the living God. There is no temporary state of "sleep" or "unconsciousness" prior to the resurrection of the dead. The Apostle Paul talked expectantly of death as a time he would immediately be ushered into the presence of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul writes, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." When we die we go to be with the Lord until His return.
Another example that supports the idea that we immediately go to be with the Lord upon our death is the fact that Paul also admitted it was far better to die and be in the presence of the Lord. In Philippians 1:23, Paul states, "For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." It would not make sense for Paul to desire death if all it meant was a state of temporary, and unconscious, "sleep." While it does not appear that Christians will have our resurrected bodies immediately upon death, it is clear that our spirits will be in the presence of the Lord. What that looks like we do not know, but it is not something to be feared by any stretch of the imagination. And when Jesus comes to rapture the Church, it is clear that He is coming with those who have died in Christ. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14)." In other words those who are asleep are those who have died and have been in His presence since their death. Death to a Christian is a glorious moment because it means we will go into the presence of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace.
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