The Bible speaks of the afterlife and the destinations of souls in various passages, offering insights into what happens after death. According to Scripture, there is an immediate judgment upon death, where the souls are separated: the righteous to a place of comfort and the unrighteous to a place of torment.

In Luke 16:22-23, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, illustrating this immediate separation: “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.”

Furthermore, the concept of a final judgment is also present in the Bible. Revelation 20:11-15 describes the great white throne judgment, where the dead are judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books, including the book of life. This passage suggests that after death, individuals await a final judgment at the end of the age.

Paul’s letters also touch on the state of believers after death, indicating that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord for those who are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).

The Bible, therefore, speaks of an immediate post-mortem judgment placing souls in a state aligned with their earthly lives’ faith and actions, as well as a final judgment that confirms these destinations. It offers hope and caution: hope for eternal life with God through faith in Jesus Christ and caution about the reality of judgment and separation from God for those who reject His offer of salvation.