27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, - Hebrews 9:27 Intermediate State. What Biblical teaching is encapsulated within the term ‘Intermediate State?’ Our Bodies Lie Dormant But Our Souls Continue in Consciousness. “8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:8 “Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43 “2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? - John 14:2 “9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. - Revelation 6:9-11 What is the Conscious Existence After Death of Those Who Do Not Know Jesus? 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’- Luke 16:19-24 Jesus Describes A Place Called Hades, Not Hell. I said, In the middle of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years. - Isaiah 38:10 “5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? - Psalm 6:5 What is the experience of the ‘wicked’ who are in Hades? 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. “ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’ - Luke 16:22-25 A Condition of Conscious Anguish 0.684 × 8,000,000,000 = 5,472,000,000 Individual People Experiencing Hades (Present Population) 26 And besides all this, 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.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” - Luke 16:26-31 There is no second opportunity. “11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:11-15