Will we sleep in heaven?

Quick answer

The Bible doesn't mention sleep in heaven, but it is used as a metaphor for death. In heaven, our souls will be alive, and we will find ultimate rest in Jesus, where all our needs will be fully satisfied in His presence.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Our physical bodies need sleep to function properly. God created our bodies to need the sleep-wake cycle for optimum health, matching the natural rhythms of day and night. The Bible uses sleep as a metaphor for death but doesn't specifically mention sleep in heaven. In the New Testament, believers who die are with Christ in heaven, but they won’t have fully restored bodies until the resurrection. Our earthly bodies are not designed for heavenly existence, so it’s unlikely we will need sleep in heaven. During the time between death and resurrection, our souls will be alive. Heavenly beings are described as constantly exalting God without the need for sleep. Ultimately, in heaven, our rest will be found in Jesus, where all our desires will be fully satisfied in His presence.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Sleep in heaven is not mentioned in the Old Testament. However, sleep is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for death, particularly in passages like 1 Kings 2:10, where it says that David "slept with his fathers." In this context, sleep refers to the resting of the body in death, not necessarily to the concept of sleep in heaven. The Old Testament focuses on the afterlife in terms of resting with God, but there is no direct mention of sleep as part of heavenly existence.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Once those who are "in Christ" die, they will be with Him in the current heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43) but will not have their fully restored bodies until they are resurrected when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 15:40; 2 Corinthians 4:14; John 5:28-29). When Jesus returns, He will establish a new heaven and a new Earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

Heaven exists within a spiritual realm, beyond the known Earth and universe, and our earthly bodies are not built for a heavenly existence (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Between death and resurrection, we may have different "bodies" than our earthly bodies now. Our souls and spirits will be living, but it is unlikely that the bodies we have will need or even be capable of sleep. If the examples of heavenly beings are safe for us to follow, we will be exalting the Lord day and night (Revelation 4:6-11; 7:11).

When Jesus establishes the new heaven and new earth, all things will be restored (Acts 3:21).

As Christ followers, our resurrection consists of our heavenly spirits that have been with Christ being reunited with our newly restored human bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Isaiah 65:17).

The new earth will be illuminated by the glory of the Lord, and night won’t exist (Revelation 21:25), which may mean no designated time for sleeping.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Throughout eternity, we may be able to do normal human things, such as eating and sleeping, but it is unknown if we will need to do those things as we do now. When Jesus was on earth in His resurrected body, He still consumed food (Luke 24:41-42). The Bible doesn't offer enough information for us to say with one hundred percent certainty whether we will sleep during eternity, but what we do know is that once we are there, sleep will not be anywhere close to a top priority. Instead, our ultimate rest will be found in Jesus, where all our needs will be fully satisfied in His presence.

UNDERSTAND

The Bible doesn't specifically mention sleep in heaven, but it says there will be no darkness.

Our earthly bodies need sleep, but in heaven, our bodies will be suited for eternity.

In heaven our ultimate rest will be found in Jesus.

REFLECT

How does the idea of ultimate rest being found in Jesus impact your perspective on the way you find rest and renewal?

How can we begin to experience the fullness of God's rest here on earth, knowing that this rest will be fully realized in heaven?

How does the truth that our desires will be fully satisfied in God's presence shape how we live today and what we pursue?

ENGAGE

How can the idea of no longer needing sleep in heaven affect our understanding of eternity and our relationship with God?

How does the metaphor of sleep (not soul sleep) being associated with death in Scripture shape our view of the afterlife and our hope for resurrection?

Given that heaven will have no night and no need for sleep, how can we help others find rest and satisfaction in Jesus now, while we await the ultimate rest to come?