Last updated on September 12, 2025
What is a sleeper?
Have you ever wondered why so many people live their lives unaware of the deeper spiritual realities around them? The Bible speaks about this condition and refers to such person as a “sleeper.” Apostle Paul addressed this very issue in his letter to the Ephesians, declaring, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14). This verse is more than just a poetic expression—it is a divine call to awaken from spiritual slumber and step into the light of Christ.
Who Are the Sleepers?
Sleepers are those who remain blind to the spiritual dimension of life. They live as if the spiritual realm does not exist, focused only on the physical world. People often describe them as “babies”, childlike in their innocence yet unaware of the spiritual realities that surround them. At one point or another, every single person finds themselves in this state. We all begin spiritually asleep, disconnected from the eternal realities of the Spirit.
Yet, here lies the mystery of God’s work. It is in this very condition that God begins His divine calling. From the sleepers, He chooses His saints, His elect, His prophets, and His messengers. The Spirit of the Lord awakens them, and suddenly they are no longer ordinary—they are chosen. They become vessels of His light and truth, set apart to carry His presence into a world still covered in shadows. The Lord Jesus Himself rejoiced in this truth when He prayed: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes” (Matthew 11:25).
The Hidden Dangers of Spiritual Sleep
However, spiritual sleep is not harmless. People who are in this state of being are extremely vulnerable to spiritual attacks and demonic oppression. Without awareness of the spiritual realm, they become easy prey for the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to confuse, deceive, and destroy. This often manifests in emotional turmoil, mental distress, and even serious psychological disorders. Many suffer breakdowns that spiral into instability. Some develop conditions like schizophrenia, while others lose their grip on reality altogether. In severe cases, they become prone to drug addiction, alcoholism and homelessness, wandering without stability because their inner lives have been shattered.
But there is hope. Those who persevere in the face of such attacks, who keep their faith and run to the Lord for help, who cling to the truth in the Word of God, will not be abandoned. If they do not shrink back, they will be delivered by the Spirit of God. They will behold the light and experience the glory of the King—the Son of God, Jesus Christ—living in them.
Another Kind of Sleeper
Now there is another type of sleeper, one that is far more deceptive and dangerous. These are people who are aware of the spiritual realm, but they are blinded to the truth of the Spirit. They have eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear what the Spirit is saying to them. Instead of walking in light, they are drawn into the schemes of darkness. More often than not, the forces of evil pressure them into participating in destructive works—oppressing, confusing, deceiving, and playing games with people’s souls. Some might even be considered spiritually dead, for they have lived in darkness so long that they sympathize with it.
Yet even here, God’s mercy breaks through. He has chosen them to take part in His grand plan. He calls them, just as He calls the saints, to awaken and enter His kingdom of light. As Paul writes: “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11–12).
God’s Quickening Power
God does not leave these sleepers trapped in the realm of death. He quickens them, pulling them out of darkness and seating them with Christ in the higher spiritual realm. Paul reveals this mystery in Ephesians: “You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the power of the air… But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:1–6).
This truth transforms everything. God’s people no longer live powerless or bound. United with Christ, they become vessels of the Spirit and fountains of living water. With His life flowing through them, they now stand as bold witnesses of God, carrying the authority to overcome the forces of darkness and the devil himself.
Waking Up on Mount Zion
Together, both kinds of sleepers awaken and behold the light of Christ. The Spirit Himself baptizes them, and the mother of their spirits is revealed. In that moment, the Son of God, the King comes alive within them, and the truth can no longer remain hidden. They have truly awakened.
This awakening is not an end but a journey, and its path ascends to Mount Zion—the Kingdom of the King’s beloved Son. Those who rise from their sleep now walk in the light. No longer bound by sin and death, they stand forgiven and free. Paul captures this reality in Colossians: “Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12–14).
On Mount Zion, the light of God’s people shines like a city set upon a hill. Their testimony refuses to remain hidden. And in their lives, Isaiah’s words are fulfilled once again: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). The prophet’s voice still resounds, calling out: “Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city” (Isaiah 52:1).
A Final Call to Wake Up
Now is the time to awaken. The night is nearly over, and the day is at hand. You cannot afford to remain asleep, blind to the spiritual reality unfolding around you. God calls you to rise, to clothe yourself with light, and to stand as His witness on Mount Zion.
So I ask you today: will you stay in slumber, or will you answer the call? Will you drift with the crowd, or will you awaken and join the faithful who shine as lights in a dark world? The choice is urgent. Stand up, lift your eyes, and awaken. Christ is calling—step into His light and let your life declare His glory.
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