Dr. Bounds’ video regarding the end times was most interesting, laying out the six parts of phases of eschatology:
1. Doctrine of Death or thanatology
2. Doctrine of the Intermediate State
3. Second Coming of Christ
4. Bodily Resurrection
5. Final Judgment
6. Life everlasting, AMEN!
While I rejoice in and am in awe of every one of these, the part of this that is most fascinating to me is the intermediate state between our physical death and resurrection, specifically the conscious existence. Maybe this is because I have so many close family members and friends who have already died. It is interesting to try to picture their current state while we all wait for Christ’s second coming and our resurrection.
As explained in Dr. Bounds’ video, which is in agreement with several online sources, when we die, our souls go through an initial judgment where we are sent to intermediate heaven or intermediate hell. In the intermediate heaven, our souls (apart from our bodies) are in the presence of God. I do believe this is orthodox, and I have so many questions that I’m sure will not be answered until I’m there! For my dad, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1998, his bodiless soul has been hanging out with God for the past 27 years! Nothing on earth could make me happier than knowing this!!
This is interesting to think about. I imagine time in heaven (even intermediate heaven) is not the same as time on earth. So, does he know he’s been there for 27 years? Also, my earthly mind wants to be assured that Dad and I will recognize each other when I get there – do bodiless souls recognize bodiless souls? Is Dad’s soul also hanging out with his parents’ and his brother’s souls? (For the comfort of my earthly mind, I’m going to say that’s exactly what is happening!) Also, we like to think about our departed loved ones watching over us, so I wonder if the souls in intermediate heaven know what’s going on here on earth.
My human brain is so limited that I cannot possibly fathom the details of what is really going to happen during this intermediate state. I have my hopes and wishes, but I know enough about God to know that whatever he has for us is going to be so much better than we can imagine!