Bible Verses About The Intermediate State Of The Dead

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Resurrection text, but not specifically about the intermediate state

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

General sleep language about the dead, but weaker than the direct patristic statements

And 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.

Key Bible text about Death and Hades giving up the dead

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Core resurrection text used in judgment discussions

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Bible passage often used by early Christians about preaching to the dead

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

passage about the dead remaining dead until first resurrection.

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

General resurrection hope text, not direct intermediate-state teaching

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Bible verse about Hades in a parable-like context, but not directly used by selected early writers here

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

General sleeping/raising text from the Gospels, used more as resurrection background

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Spirit-in-prison text is relevant but not directly developed in the selected early witnesses

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

passage with the dead in the depths of Sheol/Hades.

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

passage on resurrection of the dead and imperishable body.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

passage showing Death and Hades end before final judgment.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

passage where Jesus says the girl is sleeping.

They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.