Eschatology (Doctrine of Last Things): Heaven and Hell (Intermediary States)
Eschatology in Christian theology studies the “last things,” both in personal destiny and in the cosmic renewal of all creation. On the personal side, it raises questions about what happens to the soul after death and before the final resurrection—a reality known as the intermediate state. Scripture suggests that both the righteous and the wicked continue consciously after death, awaiting the final judgment. For the righteous, there is immediate fellowship with Christ, while for the unrighteous there is separation from God. On the cosmic level, eschatology embraces the return of Christ, the consummation of the kingdom, and the renewal of all things.
The doctrine of heaven and hell in the intermediary states matters deeply for the Gospel, since it highlights both the comfort of those who die in Christ and the urgency of proclaiming salvation before the final judgment.
1. The Intermediate State Defined
The Bible distinguishes between the intermediate state and the final state. The intermediate state is the period between death and resurrection. It is not the eternal kingdom nor the lake of fire, but a temporary condition in which souls await final judgment.
Key elements include:
Conscious existence: Both the righteous and the wicked continue after death (Luke 16:22–23).
Awaiting resurrection: Final destiny is not complete until the body is raised (1 Thess 4:16).
Distinct experiences: Believers dwell in comfort with Christ, while unbelievers await judgment in distress.
The intermediate state affirms that death does not erase human identity or consciousness but shifts it into a new mode of existence.
2. Heaven as the Presence of Christ
For believers, to die is to “depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil 1:23). While heaven can be described in spatial terms, the true emphasis of Scripture is relational—the presence of God.
Characteristics of heaven in the intermediate state:
Immediate fellowship: Believers enter Christ’s presence at death (2 Cor 5:8).
Blessed rest: Revelation 14:13 describes the dead in Christ as “blessed” because they rest from their labors.
Incomplete but secure: Though awaiting bodily resurrection, believers already taste eternal life through union with Christ (John 11:25).
Heaven, then, is not merely a place but a reality defined by communion with God. The Gospel assures that Christ’s people, forgiven and redeemed, are brought into His presence immediately after death.
3. Hell as Separation in the Intermediate State
The intermediate state also includes a parallel reality for those who reject God. Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) shows the wicked entering a place of torment immediately after death, awaiting final judgment.
Key aspects of hell in the intermediary sense:
Conscious awareness: The rich man in Luke 16 feels anguish and desires relief.
Irreversible separation: A great chasm prevents movement between states (Luke 16:26).
Awaiting fullness: Just as the righteous await resurrection glory, the unrighteous await resurrection to judgment (John 5:29).
This reality heightens the seriousness of rejecting the Gospel, reminding us that the call to repentance cannot be delayed indefinitely.
4. Biblical Foundations of the Intermediate State
The doctrine of the intermediary states rests on a range of biblical texts:
Genesis 35:18: Rachel’s soul departs at death, suggesting continuity of existence.
Ecclesiastes 12:7: The spirit returns to God who gave it.
Luke 23:43: Jesus promises the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Revelation 6:9–10: The souls of martyrs cry out from under the altar, showing conscious existence before resurrection.
Taken together, these passages affirm that death is not the end but a transition into a conscious intermediate state, either in comfort with Christ or awaiting judgment.
5. The Gospel and the Hope of Resurrection
The Gospel frames the intermediate state not as the ultimate hope but as a stage pointing to resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection is the firstfruits of those who sleep (1 Cor 15:20). Just as Christ rose bodily, so too will His people be raised, transformed into His likeness (Phil 3:21).
For the believer, this means:
Immediate joy after death in Christ’s presence.
Future hope of bodily resurrection.
Participation in the eternal kingdom when Christ delivers it to the Father (1 Cor 15:24).
The Gospel ensures that the intermediate state is not a shadowy waiting room but a foretaste of glory.
6. Cosmic Eschatology and the End of the Age
Personal eschatology—what happens at death—cannot be separated from cosmic eschatology. Jesus’ first coming inaugurated the kingdom, and His second coming will consummate it. The Bible describes this as “the end happening in the middle of history,” as the cross and resurrection anticipate the final renewal.
Cosmic eschatology includes:
The return of Christ to judge and renew all things (Matt 24:30).
The resurrection of the dead (John 5:28–29).
The final judgment before the throne of God (Rev 20:11–15).
The new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13).
The intermediary states point forward to this consummation. Heaven is real, but it is not yet the new creation. Hell is real, but it will culminate in the lake of fire. Both anticipate the eternal states beyond the final judgment.
Conclusion
Eschatology teaches that the “last things” are both personal and cosmic. For the believer, death brings immediate presence with Christ, a reality often described as heaven. For the unbeliever, death brings separation and distress, a foretaste of judgment. Both await the final resurrection and eternal states.
The Gospel transforms how we view these realities. For those in Christ, the intermediate state is not fearsome but hopeful, because even in death we belong to the Lord (Rom 14:8). For those apart from Christ, it is a warning of what lies ahead. Ultimately, eschatology calls us to live in light of eternity, proclaiming the Gospel, and awaiting the day when Christ brings His kingdom in fullness.
Bible Verses about Heaven, Hell, and the Intermediate State
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
“We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13)
“Then man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets.” (Ecclesiastes 12:5)
“The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain… They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord…’” (Revelation 6:9–10)
“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades… he was in torment.” (Luke 16:22–23)
“An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28–29)
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8)
