Historically, classical Christian theology speaks of what we
call the intermediate state. That has to do with where we go immediately upon death, as distinguished from our state after the final resurrection.
Philippians 1:21-24 ESV
(21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
(22) If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
(23) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
(24) But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
- This is what the New Testament indicates when Paul says that it was more needful for him to stay here for us, but to depart and be with Christ would be far better.
- He indicates that, as soon as we die, our souls go immediately into the presence of Christ.
- In the intermediate state, however, we are disembodied souls. We won’t have our glorified bodies until after the coming of Christ and the great resurrection. At that point, our souls will be reunited with our bodies.
- Even as disembodied souls, there will be a continued consciousness of our personal existence. The instant we die, we go into heaven in our soul-state, and then we await the final consummation of the resurrection of our bodies.
- Death is our graduation to glory and Eternal Life.
- To be in the immediate presence of the Lord was gain for Paul.
- The idea that Paul could consider death an immediate gain argues against the idea of “soul sleep.” This teaching says that the believing dead are held in some sort of suspended animation until the resurrection occurs.
- Paul's understanding that his death is considered gain also argues against the idea of “purgatory” which says that the believing dead must be purified through suffering before coming into the presence of God.
The Answer is YES!
Grove Oak Church
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