What is the Intermediate State?
Question 10101
The intermediate state refers to the condition of human beings between physical death and bodily resurrection. This period—which for some has already lasted thousands of years—raises important questions: Where are the dead now? Are they conscious? What are they experiencing? Scripture provides clear answers that should comfort believers and warn unbelievers about what awaits them immediately upon leaving this life.
Defining the Intermediate State
When a person dies, the body ceases to function and begins to decay, but the immaterial part of the person—variously called the soul, spirit, or inner self—continues in conscious existence. This is not yet the final state. The final state for believers is resurrection in glorified bodies and eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. The final state for unbelievers is resurrection followed by condemnation to the lake of fire. The intermediate state is what happens between physical death and these final states.
The theological term “intermediate” simply means “in between.” It acknowledges that biblical eschatology involves more than just death and the final judgement. There is a period of waiting—conscious waiting—between death and resurrection.
Old Testament Teaching on the Intermediate State
The Old Testament refers to the realm of the dead as שְׁאוֹל (Sheol). This word appears sixty-five times in the Hebrew Scriptures and is variously translated as “the grave,” “the pit,” or simply transliterated as “Sheol.” It was the place where all the dead went, righteous and wicked alike, prior to Jesus’ resurrection.
Several Old Testament passages suggest conscious existence in Sheol. In Isaiah 14:9-10, the prophet describes the king of Babylon’s arrival there: “Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth… All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!'” Similarly, Ezekiel 32:21 speaks of the mighty chiefs in Sheol who “shall speak of him.” These passages, while prophetic and poetic, indicate that the Old Testament understood Sheol as a place of conscious existence rather than merely a synonym for the grave.
However, the Old Testament revelation of the afterlife was incomplete. It hinted at distinctions between the righteous and wicked after death but did not fully develop this theme. That awaited Jesus’ teaching and the fuller revelation of the New Testament.
New Testament Development
The New Testament uses two primary terms for the realm of the dead. For unbelievers, it uses ᾅδης (Hades), which corresponds roughly to Sheol. For believers, it speaks of being “with Christ,” “in Paradise,” or “in Abraham’s bosom.” This reflects a clarification that came through Jesus’ finished work.
The most detailed picture of the intermediate state comes from Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. When the beggar Lazarus died, “he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.” When the rich man died, he found himself “in Hades, being in torment.” He could see Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side, but “between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”
Several observations emerge from this account. First, both men were conscious immediately after death. The rich man could see, speak, feel pain, and remember his earthly life and family. Second, their destinies were fixed at death—no crossing between the two realms was possible. Third, there was an immediate distinction between the righteous and the wicked in the intermediate state, not merely at final judgement.
The Change Effected by Jesus’ Work
Many scholars believe that before Jesus’ resurrection, all the dead—righteous and wicked—went to Sheol/Hades, though in separate compartments. The righteous were in “Abraham’s bosom” or “Paradise,” while the wicked were in torment. Some see this reflected in Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43), with Paradise being a compartment of Hades at that time.
However, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the location of believers in the intermediate state appears to have changed. Paul writes of his desire “to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23), indicating that deceased believers are now in Jesus’ immediate presence. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, he expresses confidence that to be “away from the body” is to be “at home with the Lord.” The implication is that Christian believers, upon death, immediately enter the presence of Jesus in heaven, not merely a waiting compartment.
Ephesians 4:8-10 may describe this transition: “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives.” Some understand this as Jesus leading the Old Testament saints from the Paradise compartment of Hades to heaven itself when He ascended. While interpretations vary, the clear New Testament teaching is that believers who die now go immediately to be with Jesus.
The Intermediate State for Believers
For believers, the intermediate state is one of blessing and rest, though it is not yet the fullness of glory that resurrection will bring. Paul describes it as being “with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23) than earthly existence, yet he also looks forward to the resurrection as the ultimate hope (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). There is a sense in which the intermediate state, though wonderful, is incomplete—we await the redemption of our bodies.
Revelation 6:9-11 provides a glimpse of believers in the intermediate state: “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God… They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood?'” These are conscious, able to communicate, aware of events, and longing for God’s final justice. They are given white robes and told to rest a little longer. This is not soul sleep but conscious, restful waiting in God’s presence.
The Intermediate State for Unbelievers
For unbelievers, the intermediate state is one of conscious torment in Hades, awaiting the final judgement. The rich man’s experience in Luke 16 is the clearest picture—he was in anguish, longing for even a drop of water to cool his tongue. This is not the final punishment of the lake of fire, but it is nonetheless terrible. Hades is the holding place where the wicked await resurrection and the Great White Throne judgement.
At that final judgement, Hades will give up its dead (Revelation 20:13), and those who are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). The intermediate state for unbelievers is thus a preview of worse to come.
Conclusion
The intermediate state is the conscious existence of human beings between physical death and bodily resurrection. For believers, it is a time of blessed rest in the presence of Jesus, awaiting the glory of resurrection. For unbelievers, it is a time of torment in Hades, awaiting final judgement. Neither destiny awaits determination—both are sealed at the moment of death based on one’s relationship to Jesus. This understanding should comfort grieving believers whose loved ones have died in the Lord—they are with Jesus, and we will see them again. It should also urge unbelievers to settle their eternal destiny now, before death fixes it permanently.
“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
Bibliography
- Hoekema, Anthony A. The Bible and the Future. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
- Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958.
- Cooper, John W. Body, Soul, and Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism-Dualism Debate. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
- MacArthur, John. The Glory of Heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1996.
- Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
