The bodiless state of the saints between death and resurrection is referred to by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:3 as “being found naked” and in 2 Corinthians 5:4 as being “unclothed.” Although disincarnate between death and resurrection, neither the saints in heaven nor the sinners in hell exist in an immaterial or formless state. That the saints in heaven have an intermediate form is indicated by Revelation 6:9-11 where “the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” are seen “under the altar” clothed in “white robes.” That the sinners in hell have an intermediate form is indicted by Luke 16:23-24 where the rich man lifts up his eyes in torment and pleads for a drop of water to cool his tongue.
The intermediate and disincarnate state of those in heaven and of those in hell will end with the resurrection of both saints and sinners in their order. Both saints and sinners will receive immortal bodies in the resurrection. Whereas the saints will receive immortal bodies suited for eternal glory in heaven (Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57), sinners will receive immortal bodies suited for eternal punishment in “the lake of fire,” which “is the second death” (Revelation 20:11-15).