What is the intermediate heaven?

The intermediate heaven is the place where believers in Jesus Christ go when they die to await the resurrection of the body. It is “heaven” in that it is the place where the Lord is; Paul taught that “to be absent from the body” is “to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NASB). It is “intermediate” because it stands between our current, earthly dwelling and our ultimate, eternal dwelling.

Theologians speak broadly of the intermediate state in contrast to the eternal state. The intermediate state for believers is a temporary heaven; for unbelievers, it is a temporary hell. In either case, the temporary, intermediate state will give way to an eternal destiny. Every human being experiences these three states of existence:

The Current State

Our current state is the one in which we live now, in the flesh, on this earth. In our current state, we make a choice to either accept Christ or reject Him, and that choice determines our intermediate state as well as our eternal destiny.

The Intermediate State

Upon death, the souls of those who have accepted Christ will go to the intermediate heaven, a place of blessing and peace. Jesus related the story of a beggar who died “and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side” (Luke 16:22). The place where the beggar went after death is described as a place of comfort (Luke 16:25). His body was left behind to be buried (and later resurrected), but his soul/spirit immediately went to the place of comfort.

Believers in Christ are assured of heaven when they die. It’s the promise that Jesus gave the dying thief next to Him on the cross: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). There’s no delay or probation period; the spirit of the believer remains conscious and immediately arrives in paradise/heaven to enjoy the blessing of God.

At the gravesite of Martha’s brother, Lazarus, Jesus spoke of her brother rising again. Martha said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24). In other words, she knew her brother would live again after the resurrection. But Jesus expanded her faith by insisting that her brother was alive now, even though his body was in the tomb: “I am the resurrection and the life,” He said. “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25–26). Jesus proved His point by raising Lazarus from the dead (verses 41–44).

In contrast, the departed spirits of those who have rejected Christ go to the intermediate hell, a place of torment.

The Eternal State

After the resurrection of the body, believers in the intermediate heaven will take part in Christ’s millennial kingdom on earth. They will ultimately be part of the new heaven and new earth, and that will last for all eternity. Unbelievers will also be resurrected, at which time they will face judgment at the great white throne and cast into the lake of fire—their eternal state. “Then they [the wicked] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).

So, the current heaven is only temporary. It is a glorious holding place for believers awaiting the resurrection of their bodies. The eventual address of all residents of the intermediate heaven will be the new heaven and earth.

Scripture gives a few details about the intermediate heaven:

• It is the place where the Lord dwells (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).
  
• It is a place of comfort (Luke 16:25).
  
• It is a place of joy and pleasure (Psalm 16:11).
  
• It is a place of fellowship with other believers (Luke 16:23).
  
• It is a place of majesty and great glory (Revelation 4:2–6).
  
• It is a place of ceaseless worship of God (Revelation 4:7—5:14).
  
• It is a place of remembrance and awareness (Revelation 6:9–10).
  
• It is a place of waiting (Revelation 6:11).

As wonderful as the intermediate heaven is, it is only a stepping-stone to a believer’s final destination. One day, God will destroy the present heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:10–12; Revelation 20:11), and He will create a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–2). Revelation 21—22 promises a final, glorious state for believers.