Intermediate State

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

This term is not found in Scripture, but the truth which it conveys certainly is. It refers to the condition of a person after death, but before resurrection. The intermediate state is sometimes referred to as the “separate” state, because in death the three parts that make up a human being (spirit, soul, and body) are separated (James 2:26²⁶For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)). The spirit and soul would be conscious in Hades—the world of unseen, disembodied persons—and the body would be in the grave.

If a person dies in faith, being a believer, he would be “unclothed” in the intermediate state (2 Cor. 5:4⁴For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5:4)). His spirit and soul would be "with Christ" in “paradise” (Phil. 1:23²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23); Luke 24:51⁵¹And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:51); Acts 1:9-10; 3:21; 7:55⁹And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (Acts 1:9‑10)
²¹Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21)
⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55)) while his body would be in the grave awaiting resurrection. His spirit and soul will be in a state that is “very much better” than anything that he would have experienced when he was alive in the body on earth (Phil. 1:23²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)).

The souls and spirits of those who have died without faith are also in the intermediate state in Hades, but they are in an entirely different state than the righteous. Being lost, they presently “cry” out in “torments” (Luke 16:23²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23); Job 14:22; 30:24²²But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn. (Job 14:22)
²⁴Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. (Job 30:24)) and await resurrection when they will have their eternal judgment sentenced to them at the Great White Throne Judgment, and then to be cast into Hell, “the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:11-15¹¹And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹²And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. ¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15)). (See Hell.)

The intermediate state is, therefore, a temporary condition of the dead. All who have died are in this separate state—both the righteous and the unrighteous. But they will not remain there forever. They will all be resurrected, but at different times, and thus will have vastly different destinies. (See Hades and Resurrection.)