Note 9 at Jn. 11:12: There are many scriptures where death is spoken of as sleep (see ref. d at Jn. 11:11, p. 309); however, the disciples thought Jesus was speaking of Lazarus simply resting. Jesus eventually clarifies their misunderstanding by using the word "death," but that was not His first choice. This is because God's perspective is different than ours. Death is final to natural man but not to God. There will be a resurrection (see note 13 at Jn. 5:28, p. 101; see note 3 at Lk. 7:15, p. 116).