Death & the Intermediate State

8 passages across 4 documents address Death & the Intermediate State. The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Nature of Physical Death, Its Connection to Sin, and the Believer's Death

"Temporal death doth consist in the separation of the soul from the body; this man was liable unto in the day that he did eat of the forbidden fruit, and not before." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"Death was threatened as a punishment for sin, Gen. 2:17, and that this included bodily or physical death is evident from Gen. 3:19. Paul tells us that sin brought death into the world, Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 15:20,21; and that death must be regarded as the wages of sin, Rom. 6:23." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life." "We do not die for the purpose of satisfying the justice of God, but that we may truly receive the benefits purchased by the death of another, that sin may be abolished, and a passage or transition be made unto eternal life." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"While death in itself remains a real natural evil for the children of God, something unnatural, which is dreaded by them as such, it is made subservient in the economy of grace to their spiritual advancement and to the best interests of the Kingdom of God." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

II. The Immortality and Separate Existence of the Soul

"Moreover, there can be no question that man consists of a body and a soul; meaning by soul, an immortal though created essence, which is his nobler part." "Conscience, which, distinguishing, between good and evil, responds to the judgement of God, is an undoubted sign of an immortal spirit. How could motion devoid of essence penetrate to the judgement-seat of God, and under a sense of guilt strike itself with terror? The body cannot be affected by any fear of spiritual punishment. This is competent only to the soul, which must therefore be endued with essence." "the swiftness with which the human mind glances from heaven to earth, scans the secrets of nature, and, after it has embraced all ages, with intellect and memory digests each in its proper order, and reads the future in the past, clearly demonstrates that there lurks in man a something separated from the body." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"The soul therefore, does not sleep after death, but enjoys immortal life, and heavenly glory with the Lord." "These and similar passages of Scripture teach and prove most conclusively, that the soul, not only in the body before death, and after the resurrection of the body from the dead, but also during the whole space that intervenes between death, and the resurrection, exists, lives, feels, and understands without the body, although the manner of its operation without the body is altogether unknown to us." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

III. The Intermediate State of Believers: Heaven and Paradise

"The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"There is a sudden transition and passage from death —to glory ! 'Absent from the body—present with the Lord!' 2 Cor 5:8." [Thomas Watson - The Lord's Prayer]

"that the souls of the righteous, after their warfare is ended, obtain blessed rest where in joy they wait for the fruition of promised glory, and that thus the final result is suspended till Christ the Redeemer appear." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." ... "But Paradise is neither hell, nor is it in hell, which is the place of torment. Hence it is evident that Christ spoke this to the malefactor, not of his Divinity, but of his soul, which suffered with his body; for his Divinity was now with the thief; neither did he suffer, nor was he delivered according to his Divinity, but according to his soul."

IV. Refutation of Purgatory, the Limbi, and Prayers for the Dead

"The Papists imagine that the souls of men, at the time they are separated from their bodies, pass into the fire of purgatory, that they may there be purified from sin, some sooner, and others later, according as they, during the period of life, loved to a greater or less extent, the perishing things of this world, as Lombard says. The Scriptures teach, on the contrary, that no fire after death, but that the blood of Christ, purifies our souls in this life from all sin."

"They also teach that the souls of the faithful, when they die, are not cast into the place of torments, there to be purified by fire, but that they are gathered to Christ in Abraham's bosom, whilst the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, from which there is no way of escape, and where they are now tormented with hellish agonies, being at the same time reserved for the more intolerable torments of that eternal fire which the wrath of God will kindle in the judgment, which Christ will execute at the end of the world." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"Though this fable has the countenance of great authors, and is now also seriously defended by many as truth, it is nothing but a fable. To conclude from it that the souls of the dead are in prison is childish." "Now, since the whole Law and Gospel do not contain one syllable which countenances the right of praying for the dead, it is a profanation of prayer to go one step farther than God enjoins." [John Calvin - Institutes]

V. The State of the Wicked: Hell, Torment, and Despair

"The bodies of unbelievers are at their death shut up in the prison of the grave; and the souls of unbelievers are shut down in the prison of hell, where they are filled with horror and anguish in the company of devils, and other damned spirits, and there reserved in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"There can be no doubt that the reprobate have the same doom as that which Jude assigns to the devils, they are "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day"" [John Calvin - Institutes]

VI. The Body in the Grave: Mystical Union and Sameness of Substance

"The bodies of believers at their death are still united unto Christ; for though death doth for a while separate their souls from their bodies, yet death cannot separate Christ from either. But as, when Christ died, his hypostatical or personal union still remained, his divine nature being united both to his soul in heaven and to his body in the tomb on earth, so, when believers die, their mystical union unto Christ still remaineth, and Christ is united both unto their souls with him in glory, and to their bodies, which are his members, even when they are rotting in the grave." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"The bodies of believers do rest in their graves as in beds, until the resurrection." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"The corruptible body, therefore, in order that we may be raised, will not perish or vanish away, but, divested of corruption, will be clothed with incorruption. Since God has all the elements at his disposal, no difficulty can prevent him from commanding the earth, the fire, and the water, to give up what they seem to have destroyed." [John Calvin - Institutes]

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Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 32: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead

1. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

2. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever.

3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor; and be made conformable to his own glorious body.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36.
Gen. 3:19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.”
Acts 13:36 For indeed David, having served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was added to his fathers, and he saw decay.
Luke 23:43; Eccl. 12:7.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Eccl. 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Heb. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Acts 3:21; Eph. 4:10; Rom. 8:23.
Heb. 12:23 and [to] the assembly, to the church of the firstborn having been enrolled in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous having been perfected,
2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8 1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent, should be torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 6 being confident, then, always, and knowing that being at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 8 Now we are confident and we are well pleased rather to be away, out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Phil. 1:23 But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for [it is] very much better,
Acts 3:21 whom indeed it is necessary for heaven to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the age.
Eph. 4:10 The One having descended is also the same One having ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.
Rom. 8:23 And not only [so], but we ourselves, even having the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Luke 16:23–24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6–7; 1 Peter 3:19.
Luke 16:23–24 23 And in Hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torment, he sees Abraham from afar and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And having cried out, he said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he might dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this flame.’
Acts 1:25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned aside to go to [his] own place.”
1 Peter 3:19 in whom also, having gone, He preached to the spirits in prison
Jude 6 on BibleHub ↗
Jude 7 on BibleHub ↗
1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 15:51–52.
1 Thess. 4:17 Then we, the living remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting of the Lord in the air; and so we will be always with the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:51–52 51 Behold, I speak to you⁺ a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
John 5:25–29; Acts 24:15; Job 19:26–27; Dan. 12:2; 1 Cor. 15:42–44.
John 5:25–29 25 Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those having heard will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He gave Him authority to do judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and they will come out—those having done good to the resurrection of life, and those having practiced evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, [that] there is about to be a resurrection both of righteous and of unrighteous.
Job 19:26–27 26 And after they strike off my skin thus, yet in my flesh I will see God. 27 [He] whom I will see for myself, indeed my eyes will see, and not a stranger. My kidneys yearn in my bosom!
Dan. 12:2 And many of those sleeping in the soil of the dust will awake—these to life everlasting, and these to shame [and] contempt everlasting.
1 Cor. 15:42–44 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual.
Acts 24:15; John 5:25–29; 1 Cor. 15:43; Phil. 3:21.
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, [that] there is about to be a resurrection both of righteous and of unrighteous.
John 5:25–29 25 Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those having heard will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He gave Him authority to do judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and they will come out—those having done good to the resurrection of life, and those having practiced evil to the resurrection of judgment.
1 Cor. 15:43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
Phil. 3:21 who will transform our body of humiliation [to be] conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working of His powering, even to subject all things to Himself.

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead23 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 8614 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 8713 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 379 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 576 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 904 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 37

Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.

Scripture proofs

Heb. 12:23.
Heb. 12:23 and [to] the assembly, to the church of the firstborn having been enrolled in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous having been perfected,
Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8; Phil. 1:23.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
2 Cor. 5:6, 8 6 being confident, then, always, and knowing that being at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 8 Now we are confident and we are well pleased rather to be away, out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Phil. 1:23 But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for [it is] very much better,
1 Thess. 4:14.
1 Thess. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also through Jesus God will bring with Him those having fallen asleep.
Dan. 12:2; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15.
Dan. 12:2 And many of those sleeping in the soil of the dust will awake—these to life everlasting, and these to shame [and] contempt everlasting.
John 5:28–29 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and they will come out—those having done good to the resurrection of life, and those having practiced evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, [that] there is about to be a resurrection both of righteous and of unrighteous.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 32: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead9 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead8 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 866 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 874 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 572 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 852 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 82

Q. What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

A. The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is in this life, immediately after death, and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.

Scripture proofs

2 Cor. 3:18.
2 Cor. 3:18 And we all, having been unveiled in face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Luke 23:43.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
1 Thess. 4:17.
1 Thess. 4:17 Then we, the living remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting of the Lord in the air; and so we will be always with the Lord.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 32: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead2 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead2 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World1 shared proof text · 3 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 371 shared proof text · 2 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 381 shared proof text · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification1 shared proof text · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 83

Q. What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?

A. The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of; and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory; as, on the contrary, sense of God's revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.

Scripture proofs

Eph. 2:5–6.
Eph. 2:5–6 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:22.
Rom. 5:5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.
2 Cor. 1:22 the One also having sealed us and having given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.
Rom. 5:1–2; Rom. 14:17; 2 Peter 3:18.
Rom. 5:1–2 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Gen. 4:13; Matt. 27:4; Heb. 10:27; Rom. 2:9; Mark 9:44.
Gen. 4:13 And Cain said to YHWH, “Greater [is] my punishment than I can bear!
Matt. 27:4 saying, “I sinned, having betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What [is it] to us? You will see.”
Heb. 10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and zeal of fire being about to devour the adversaries.
Rom. 2:9 tribulation and distress upon every soul of man working evil, both of Jew first, and also of Greek;
Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (KJV)

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation5 shared proof texts Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 364 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation4 shared proof texts Heidelberg Catechism · Question 493 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification3 shared proof texts Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 84

Q. Shall all men die?

A. Death being threatened as the wages of sin, it is appointed unto all men once to die; for that all have sinned.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 6:23.
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heb. 9:27.
Heb. 9:27 And inasmuch as it is apportioned to men to die once, and after this, judgment,
Rom. 5:12.
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.

Parallel passages (6+)

Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors2 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof2 shared proof texts Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 192 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts Canons of Dort · First Head, Article 1: God's Right to Condemn All People1 shared proof text Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 15: Of Repentance unto Life1 shared proof text

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 85

Q. Death being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ?

A. The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God's love, to free them perfectly from sin and misery, and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter upon.

Scripture proofs

1 Cor. 15:26, 55–57; Heb. 2:15; John 11:25–26.
1 Cor. 15:26, 55–57 26 The last enemy to be made null [is] death. 55 “Where, O death, [is] your victory? Where, O death, [is] your sting?” 56 Now the sting of death [is] sin, and the power of sin [is] the law. 57 But thanks [be] to God, the One giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb. 2:15 and might set free those who all [their time] to live were subject to slavery through the fear of death.
John 11:25–26 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one believing in Me, even if he may die, he will live. 26 And everyone living and believing in Me shall never die, to the age. Do you believe this?”
Isa. 57:1–2; 2 Kings 22:20.
Isa. 57:1–2 1 The righteous one has perished, and no man takes [it] upon the heart; and men of devotion are gathered up, [and] no one considers that the righteous one is gathered up from the face of evil. 2 He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, [each] walking [in] his uprightness.
2 Kings 22:20 ‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace. And your eyes shall not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” And they brought back her word to the king.
Rev. 14:13; Eph. 5:27.
Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed [are] the dead who are dying in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they will rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.”
Eph. 5:27 so that He might present to Himself the church in glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any of such things, but that she may be holy and blameless.
Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Phil. 1:23 But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for [it is] very much better,

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day4 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 32: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead2 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 372 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 86

Q. What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death?

A. The communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness, and received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies, which even in death continue united to Christ, and rest in their graves as in their beds, till at the last day they be again united to their souls. Whereas the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.

Scripture proofs

Heb. 12:23; Acts 7:55, 59.
Heb. 12:23 and [to] the assembly, to the church of the firstborn having been enrolled in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous having been perfected,
Acts 7:55, 59 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, having looked intently into heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 59 And [as] they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Acts 3:21; Eph. 4:10; Luke 23:43.
2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8 1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent, should be torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 6 being confident, then, always, and knowing that being at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 8 Now we are confident and we are well pleased rather to be away, out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Phil. 1:23 But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for [it is] very much better,
Acts 3:21 whom indeed it is necessary for heaven to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the age.
Eph. 4:10 The One having descended is also the same One having ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:12.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is.
1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass in obscurity, but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Rom. 8:23; Ps. 16:9.
Rom. 8:23 And not only [so], but we ourselves, even having the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Ps. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.
1 Thess. 4:14, 16.
1 Thess. 4:14, 16 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also through Jesus God will bring with Him those having fallen asleep. 16 because the Lord Himself with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Isa. 57:2.
Isa. 57:2 He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, [each] walking [in] his uprightness.
Job 19:26–27.
Job 19:26–27 26 And after they strike off my skin thus, yet in my flesh I will see God. 27 [He] whom I will see for myself, indeed my eyes will see, and not a stranger. My kidneys yearn in my bosom!
Luke 16:23–24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6–7.
Luke 16:23–24 23 And in Hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torment, he sees Abraham from afar and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And having cried out, he said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he might dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this flame.’
Acts 1:25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned aside to go to [his] own place.”
Jude 6 on BibleHub ↗
Jude 7 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 32: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead14 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead10 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 376 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 573 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day3 shared proof texts Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World1 shared proof text · 5 shared topics

London Baptist Confession (1689)

Chapter 31: Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead

1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die nor sleep) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them; the souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God, in light and glory; waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked, are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

2. At the last day such of the saints as are found alive shall not sleep, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.

3. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just by his Spirit unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36.
Gen. 3:19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.”
Acts 13:36 For indeed David, having served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was added to his fathers, and he saw decay.
Eccl. 12:7.
Eccl. 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Heb. 12:23.
Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8 1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent, should be torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 6 being confident, then, always, and knowing that being at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 8 Now we are confident and we are well pleased rather to be away, out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Phil. 1:23 But I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for [it is] very much better,
Heb. 12:23 and [to] the assembly, to the church of the firstborn having been enrolled in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous having been perfected,
Jude 6–7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23–24.
1 Peter 3:19 in whom also, having gone, He preached to the spirits in prison
Luke 16:23–24 23 And in Hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torment, he sees Abraham from afar and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And having cried out, he said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he might dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this flame.’
Jude 6 on BibleHub ↗
Jude 7 on BibleHub ↗
1 Cor. 15:51–52; 1 Thess. 4:17.
1 Cor. 15:51–52 51 Behold, I speak to you⁺ a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1 Thess. 4:17 Then we, the living remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting of the Lord in the air; and so we will be always with the Lord.
Job 19:26–27.
Job 19:26–27 26 And after they strike off my skin thus, yet in my flesh I will see God. 27 [He] whom I will see for myself, indeed my eyes will see, and not a stranger. My kidneys yearn in my bosom!
1 Cor. 15:42–43.
1 Cor. 15:42–43 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
Acts 24:15; John 5:28–29; Phil. 3:21.
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, [that] there is about to be a resurrection both of righteous and of unrighteous.
John 5:28–29 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and they will come out—those having done good to the resurrection of life, and those having practiced evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Phil. 3:21 who will transform our body of humiliation [to be] conformed to the body of His glory, according to the working of His powering, even to subject all things to Himself.

Parallel passages (6+)

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