Hi Tressa,

No, they are in Heaven; well, the just are, as we can see from Revelation 5. There are two judgments:

1. the Particular Judgment, which is the judgment of the individual and happens immediately after death, and
2. the General Judgment, which happens at the end of time.

In the Particular Judgment, the individual's fate is revealed and they go to their reward.

In the General Judgment, the fate of souls and their sins are revealed to the whole world.
It's more of a formality than anything; no one's disposition changes.

Eric

Hi Tressa,

I just wanted to add to what Eric has said.

The last or General Judgment also is a judgment in the flesh. We will all receive resurrected bodies. Our rewards or punishments will also be experienced in the flesh as well as the soul.

While the final disposition doesn't change, there is a reason for the General Judgment. 

You see, when we sin, it's never a private sin. It effects everyone, no matter how private we think it is. Some of the greatest sins are sins of omissions. When we see others being judged, even the saved will realize how all their actions (or lack of actions) effected the lives of others. We will all have to give an account.

While we are only directly responsible for our own sins, our actions (or lack of action) can either:

• further the salvation of others or
• present an obstacle to them

so the last judgment is when it all comes out in the open.

John DiMascio

Tressa,

The statement is a simple way of saying that Christ will judge every person who:

• ever lived
• is living, or
• will live, and
• wherever they are now (Heaven, Hell, Detroit, etc.)

Furthermore, there is a Particular Judgment for each individual when they die and they meet God, and then there is a final or General Judgment which is basically a ratification of all the particular judgments at the end of the world. That is kind of like an assembly to show the true justice of God and his great work of redemption and grace, and his beautiful family.

Lastly, the deceased are either in Christ, meaning they are saved (more on that), or they are not (which essentially means they choose Hell). Those who are in Christ are either:

• fully prepared for Heaven (completely sanctified), or
• they are undergoing purgation, that purifying process in which they are brought to the full stature of their life in Christ's glory. (We call that Purgatory.)

Scripture says nothing unclean will enter Heaven (Revelation 21:27), so Christ will not leave us half baked before he brings us into the fullness of his presence. Trust me, you wouldn't want to live with me with all my imperfections for all eternity. That kind of Heaven just wouldn't be worth it.

So, Christ will judge everyone and those who are saved he will purify before they enter Heaven.

In the end, the saved will have their bodies too, like Christ, the First-Born of many brothers.

Peace,

Bob Kirby