Biblical Answer

Death and the Believer

Death is not final for believers. As stated in 8:51, Jesus says, "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." This promise is repeated in 5:24, 6:40, and 11:25. These statements assure believers that death is not the last word for them. Although they die, yet they will live on.

The Intermediate State

The intermediate state is a problem because it is not clearly defined in the Bible. However, based on biblical teachings, we can conclude that upon death, believers go immediately to a place and condition of blessedness. This is in contrast to unbelievers, who pass into a state of separation from God and the endurance of punishment. The intermediate state is a temporary condition between physical death and the final resurrection.

The Purpose of the Final Judgment

The final judgment is not intended to be a final determination of a believer's salvation. Rather, it is a time when God will judge all people, believers and unbelievers alike, and reward those who have lived faithfully according to their faith. The final judgment is a reminder of the seriousness with which God treats sin and encourages obedience among believers. It is not a means of determining who is saved or not, but rather a culmination of the believer's life of faith. As stated in Revelation 20:11-15, the final judgment is a time of reckoning for all people, both believers and unbelievers.