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'''Immediate judgment''' is a doctrine within [[Christianity]] which purports that unsaved Christians face judgment immediately after physical death, in contrast to the [[Seven Day Adventist]] doctrine of soul sleep which states that individuals unconsciously sleep in the grave awaiting a bodily resurrection. Despite being propagated by many denominations, such as the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and some [[Protestant]]s, soul sleep advocates claim it is a form of [[liberal denial]]; instead of admitting that physical death is a sleep, which allegedly the Bible affirms and reiterates dozens of times, it attempts to construct a false doctrine based on flimsy usage of New Testament verses usually taken out of context. [[Seventh-day Adventists]] also criticize immediate judgment as a heretical teaching.

'''Immediate judgment''' is a doctrine within [[Christianity]] which teaches that unsaved Christians face judgment immediately after physical death.  The doctrine of [[salvation]] teaches that salvation means being spared, or "saved", from judgment. Jesus said in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

 

In contrast to the [[Seven Day Adventist]] doctrine of soul sleep which states that individuals unconsciously sleep in the grave awaiting a bodily resurrection. Despite being propagated by many denominations, such as the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and some [[Protestant]]s, soul sleep advocates claim it is a form of [[liberal denial]]; instead of admitting that physical death is a sleep, which allegedly the Bible affirms and reiterates dozens of times, it attempts to construct a false doctrine based on flimsy usage of New Testament verses usually taken out of context. [[Seventh-day Adventists]] also criticize immediate judgment as a heretical teaching.

The parable of [[Lazarus and the Rich Man]], found in the [[Gospel of Luke]],<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016:19-31&version=ESV Luke 16:19–31]</ref> is usually cited as substantiation for immediate judgment. However, the parable, which borrowed pagan Greek concepts (such as the usage of the term "Hades") as a fictional tale rather a description of a literal event, emphasized a warning against the zealous self-exaltation and coldhearted attitudes of the [[Pharisees]] rather than the timing of judgment after death. A literal interpretation of the parable as direct grounds for theological teachings would lead to the assumption of a temporary heaven and hell where intercommunication is possible, a notion substantiated by nowhere throughout the Bible.

The parable of [[Lazarus and the Rich Man]], found in the [[Gospel of Luke]],<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016:19-31&version=ESV Luke 16:19–31]</ref> is usually cited as substantiation for immediate judgment. However, the parable, which borrowed pagan Greek concepts (such as the usage of the term "Hades") as a fictional tale rather a description of a literal event, emphasized a warning against the zealous self-exaltation and coldhearted attitudes of the [[Pharisees]] rather than the timing of judgment after death. A literal interpretation of the parable as direct grounds for theological teachings would lead to the assumption of a temporary heaven and hell where intercommunication is possible, a notion substantiated by nowhere throughout the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus referring to death as a sleep in contrast to the immediate judgment doctrine's liberal denial. In the [[Gospel of John]], Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, dies and was resurrected by Jesus, who said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A11-15&version=ESV John 11:11–15]</ref> When those around Him mistakenly thought Jesus talked of literal sleep rather than death, He bluntly clarified, "Lazarus has died."

The New Testament records Jesus referring to death as a sleep in contrast to the immediate judgment doctrine's liberal denial. In the [[Gospel of John]], Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, dies and was resurrected by Jesus, who said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A11-15&version=ESV John 11:11–15]</ref> When those around Him mistakenly thought Jesus talked of literal sleep rather than death, He bluntly clarified, "Lazarus has died."

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