The witnesses word in this use means “Martyr”. Whence Eng., “martyr,” one who bears “witness” by his death.
It does not imply a present tense consciousness, but a past tense. Of course the future tense of the resurrection is implied.
I have already explained the differences between the dead in Christ who SLEEP waiting for the Trump, and those in Hell now waiting for the great white throne judgment and those who WERE in Abraham’s bosom and are NOW conscience in Heaven.
As for talking to the dead, saved or unsaved, it is actually forbidden under penalty of death.
We are to be encouraged by their EXAMPLE.
They are NOT present.
The problem is the tense Paul uses is the present. WE ARE encompassed(surrounded) about by a great cloud of witnesses(martyrs if you will).Hebrews 12:1. Paul in Hebrews 11 and 12 is encouraging Christians in the “Race to be run” in their lives and cites these “martyrs” as your describe, but as surrounding us NOW. You cannot come away with the conclusion that these ‘witnesses” or Martyrs are in a current unconscious state. Paul speaks of them as being alive and in the NOW! The NOW of God is a different state as God lives past, present and future all at once.
“As for talking to the dead, saved or unsaved, it is actually forbidden under penalty of death.”
Yeah, well we know that the dead prophet Samuel was really sore at Saul for trying that!