SLEEP
Definition
Sleep symbolizes death just as being awake symbolizes
life (Psa 13:3; Jer 51:39; Dan 12:2; Jn 11:11-13; 1 Cor 11:30; 15:51).
God created sleep to remind man of death for the Appeal Trial of Satan
as an extension of the Prehistoric Angelic Conflict. Sleep also symbolizes
the rest of Spiritual Maturity ((Heb 4:3) and peace (Psa 4:8; Gal 5:22).
Sleep includes to rest, relaxation, and peace. And married people
sleep together in a time of bonding and togetherness (SOS 1:13; 3:1; Heb
13:4).
Sleep is associated with darkness, which is the
realm of Satan and his demons (Act 26:18; 1 Thess 5:7). Demons and
the creatures of darkness, like owls, frogs, and varmints, come out at
night.
Sleep is also needed to rejuvenate physical and psychological
strength. The soul is cleaned up from extraneous confusion and unconscious
constraints, and body cells are repaired. Memory data base pointers
are recalculated during sleep, and the soul is prepared for a new day.
The physical body rests, relaxes, and repairs itself with new strength.
Sleep Cycles
Five distinct sleep stages, or levels, have been
identified. The first stage is light sleep as the person falls asleep,
while the fourth stage is the deepest. Awaking from the fourth stage
leaves a person groggy and disoriented. During the first stage, the
state between sleep and wakefulness is called the hypnagogic state.
In the hypnagogic state between sleep and wakefulness a person is susceptible
to demon influence. The hypnagogic state often occurs about 30 minutes
into the sleep cycle. Being awakened sharply about 30 minutes after
beginning to sleep is usually due to a demon. As the person is
waking, the demon may be visible in some form of light display or image
with the eyes closed or open.
The fifth stage of sleep, called the Rapid Eye
Movement (REM) stage, replaces stage 1 as the sleep cycle rolls back up
from deep sleep. In the REM stage dreams occur. In the REM
stage of sleep, the person may be paralyzed, which serves the useful purpose
of preventing him from acting out his dreams. Dreams can be interpreted
in Grace from divine viewpoint of their symbols, whether the dreams are
caused by angels, demons or soulish response (Gen 37:9-10; 41; Judg 17:13-15;
Dan 2; Matt 1:20; 2:12-13, 19, 22). Dream symbols, however, do not
always have the same meaning as the same symbols on the Stage of Life during
the day. Although God does not speak to people through dreams in
the Church Age, dreams may reveal spiritual issues or personal problems.
Hypnotic pressure from Satan, demons, or angels can
cause one to fall asleep (Isa 29:10; Dan 8:18; Matt 26:40-45). A
person in the presence of a powerful angel or demon may be overcome with
pressure and faint in the soul or fall asleep like a person under hypnotic
power.
Sleeping through a storm may be a sign of faith or
lack thereof (Jonah 1:6; Matt 8:24-26). Jonah went to sleep during
a storm to avoid facing unpleasant circumstances. This is like going
to sleep to forget one's troubles. Jesus Christ, however, slept through
a storm because he wasn't afraid. He had Spiritual self-esteem and
Faith.
Spiritual Issues
The Lord watches over a person and protects him
in sleep (Psa 127:2). Elect Angels may also guard a person during
sleep (1 Ki 19:4-8). An Elect Angel came to assist Elijah when he
was in a crisis fleeing from Jezebel. However, the night belongs
to Satan, and he is allowed to cross examine even during sleep. He
didn't leave Job during the night. A good night's sleep is a blessing
(Job 11:18-19; Prov 3:24; 19:23; Jer 31:26), but sleep deprivation is a
form of torture. It may be caused by demons, who don't sleep.
Anxiety, which prevents sleep, may be caused by a demon. The solution
is to resist the demon, and he will flee (James 4:7). Failure to
handle problems during the day can leave garbage in the subconscious, which
comes out at night and causes bad dreams or anxieties that interfere with
sleep (Esther 6:1; Dan 2:1; 6:18; Matt 27:19).
Too much sleep is a form of idleness that interferes with industriousness
(Prov 6:9-11; 19:15; 20:13). No work is done when a person is sleeping.
Exercise helps sleep (Eccl 5:12). Even exercise early in the day
contributes to a good night's sleep.
Since sleep is a form of self-love, it is an indicator
of self-esteem (Eph 5:28-29). If a person sleeps eight hours a night,
that is a third of the day and a large portion of a person's life.
Such a large investment reveals a person's true nature and priorities.
Nightmares may be caused by demons or Elect Angels
(Job 4:13-21). Nightmares and traumatic dreams are warning that should
not be taken lightly. They may be warnings of an approaching crisis
or signs of psychological or physical danger. Rather than dismissing
a child's nightmares, the underlying spiritual meaning should be sought.
Conclusion
God created man to sleep for good reason. He
could easily have created us like the angels, who don't require sleep.
Sleep symbolizes death, which results from sin. Awaking symbolizes
life and resurrection. The solution to death is Salvation, which
is available through faith in Jesus Christ.
People sleep at night. The night belongs
to Satan and his demons. Those who live during the day under the
power of Satan can expect to be at his mercy at night during sleep.
The vast majority of people's dreams are caused directly by demons, while
many of the other dreams are related to involvement in Satan's Cosmic System.
When the problems of life are not solved with divine viewpoint, garbage
accumulates in the subconscious. The garbage comes out at night and
is manipulated by Satan and his demons to further their desires to the
detriment of the person. Although the Lord watches over us while
we sleep, He also allows Satan and his demons the opportunity to cross
examine the human witnesses. There are reasons for the strange, wacky
world of dreams. Good sleep is necessary for good life, and that
is only possible by advancing spiritually to peace and harmony with God.
Author: Larry Wood, Released June 20, 2010