Main idea
Here is the data:
In the US, 7 in 10 adults (72%) believe in heaven and 6 in 10 (58%) believe in hell.
In another survey, 70% of adults say there definitely is (43%) or probably is (27%) life after death.
In some of 35 countries, adults with higher levels of education are more likely to agree, but in the US, adults with more education are less likely to agree.
73% are older adults (ages 50+) and 65% are younger adults (ages 18-34).
Here are the views on heaven:
Intermediate State (present): A spiritual state (for believers) in heaven before a final resurrection.
(a.) Consciousness: A conscious state (for believers) before a final resurrection.
“… and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, CSB).
“And he said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:43).
“In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
“I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ — which is far better” (Philippians 1:23).
(b.) Purgatory: A spiritual state (for believers) of purification before heaven.^1
“If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved — but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
(c.) Unconsciousness: A non-conscious state (for believers and unbelievers) before a final resurrection.^2
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
“Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished” (1 Corinthians 15:18).
“… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
Final State (future): A spiritual/ physical state (for believers) in new heaven and earth after a final resurrection.
“For I will create new heavens and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
“Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
“But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more” (Revelation 21:1).
Here are the views on hell:
Annihilationism: A state (for unbelievers) who will not live forever in punishment.
“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
“The last enemy to be abolished is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26).
“They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
“God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal …” (1 Timothy 6:15-16).
“By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:7).
Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT): A spiritual/ physical state (for unbelievers) who will live forever in punishment.
“As they leave, they will see the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never go out… “ (Isaiah 66:24).
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
“… and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7).
“… and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name” (Revelation 14:11).
“… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
^1,2 this view is less common and is debated.
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