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What is the intermediate state?

What is the intermediate state?
Redemption Theology

TL;DR:

The intermediate state is the conscious existence of a person between death and resurrection, where believers are immediately in God’s presence and unbelievers are separated from Him. Faith in Jesus is the only assurance of entering eternal life, with glorified bodies in God’s presence.

what does the bible say?

The intermediate state refers to a person's existence between his physical death and his future resurrection. The words "intermediate state" are not used in the Bible, but Bible teachers often use this term when discussing what happens to a person after death. In the Old Testament, the dead went to Sheol, a shadowy place separate from God, but the righteous were promised eventual resurrection and reward. The New Testament clarifies that believers immediately enter God’s presence upon death, while unbelievers await final judgment in separation from Him. Biblical examples, like Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16, show that the dead are conscious and aware, though without physical bodies until the resurrection. One day, when Christ returns, believers will receive glorified bodies and live eternally in a new heaven and new earth. Until that day, we are to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, knowing that faith in Jesus is the only assurance of this eternal hope.

from the old testament

  • The Old Testament often speaks of Sheol as the place where the dead go, both righteous and wicked (e.g., Genesis 37:35; Psalm 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:10).
  • Prophets like Isaiah and Daniel point to a future resurrection and reward for the righteous (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2). These passages suggest that after death, the faithful await God’s final redemption and vindication.
  • David said of his dead child, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me,” which some interpret as awareness after death and a hope of seeing loved ones after death.

from the new testament

  • The Bible reveals that when believers die, they’re immediately in the presence of the Lord. Paul wrote, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ" (Philippians 1:23).
  • Paul expected to immediately exist in the presence of Jesus after his final breath: “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
  • Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
  • Revelation 6:9 clearly teaches that departed souls are in the presence of God. Specifically, Christian martyrs during the tribulation are there. These "souls" have no physical body since their resurrection is yet to come. While this is the intermediate state of those who die during the tribulation, it is not clear if this is the state of believers who die in Christ before that time.
  • At the rapture of the church, "the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Assuming that the rapture occurs before the tribulation, believers during the church age will have resurrected bodies.
  • The clearest teaching on the intermediate state is Jesus’ story of a poor man named Lazarus who died and entered God's presence. The story includes a rich man who went to hell and found himself in torment. Luke 16:23 says that the rich man "lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." This passage affirms that those who have died are conscious and have a spiritual body of some kind. Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man were all personally identifiable, and they could see, hear, speak, and feel. The rich man even speaks of Lazarus's "finger" and his "tongue." The indication seems to be that they exist as something more than a disembodied spirit.

implications for today

The Bible teaches that upon death, believers immediately enter the presence of the Lord while unbelievers are separated from Him until the final judgment. This rules out the view of "soul sleep," which is the belief that a person's soul enters a period of unconscious rest and is later "awakened" to spend eternity with Christ. On the contrary, believers are alive and awaiting our glorified bodies while unbelievers experience torment, awaiting final judgment.

Regardless of the exact nature of our existence in the intermediate state, believers will ultimately live in a new heaven and new earth with glorified bodies that continue for eternity (Revelation 21-22). Believers can take comfort that in a coming day there will be no more pain, suffering, or sadness but rather, a perfect existence forever in the presence of the Lord.

Only one way assures us of where we are going after death: faith in Jesus Christ. By trusting in Him as Lord and Savior, we are promised eternal life and a personal relationship with God that continues beyond this life. Our hope rests not in our own merit but in Christ’s finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Trusting in Him guarantees that all who believe will dwell with Him forever in glory and peace. Have you trusted in Him?

understand

  • The intermediate state is the conscious existence between death and resurrection.
  • The righteous are with God, and the wicked are separated from Him, awaiting judgment.
  • Faith in Jesus assures eternal life and future glorified bodies.

reflect

  • How does knowing that you will immediately be in God’s presence after death affect the way you live today?
  • How does the reality of the intermediate state encourage you to trust Jesus?
  • How does the promise of glorified bodies and eternal life shape your priorities and choices?

engage

  • How do the Old and New Testaments help us understand the consciousness of the dead in the intermediate state?
  • In what ways do the Old Testament promises of resurrection and reward connect to the New Testament understanding of the intermediate state?
  • How should the certainty of where we go after death influence the way we share the gospel with others who do not yet know Christ?

More Resources

Heaven What happens after death?

What happens after death?

There are two eternal destinations after death—heaven or hell—based on our response to Jesus Christ. By believing in Jesus’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, we can be saved from hell and gain eternal life in heaven.
Catholicism Is the concept of purgatory biblical?

Is the concept of purgatory biblical?

The Catholic doctrine of purgatory teaches that souls undergo purification for sins after death before entering heaven. However, the Bible does not support the concept of purgatory, presenting instead a clear choice of eternal destinations: heaven or hell. Scripture emphasizes salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, not post-mortem purification.
Other Is reincarnation biblical?

Is reincarnation biblical?

Reincarnation—the belief in a soul’s repeated cycle of birth, life, and death in new bodies or forms—is common in many Eastern religions and New Age philosophies. Scripture teaches that human life is singular, followed by judgment, and that the soul’s eternal destiny is determined by faith in Jesus Christ. Reincarnation is not biblical.
End Times When will the resurrection occur?

When will the resurrection occur?

The Bible teaches two resurrections: one for believers and one for unbelievers, with very different outcomes. The reality of the resurrection calls us to respond to Christ and to live in a way that honors Him and makes Him known.