Hi Debbie,
Dan 12:2 From those sleeping in the soil of the ground many shall awake, these to eonian life and these to reproach for eonian repulsion. (CLV)
When we die, as has been said, our spirit goes back to the Father as spirit does not just go away, so God takes it back to Himself. So our mind goes to an unconscious state, awaiting (so to speak) for the resurrection.
1Cor 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Christ is the Firstfruit, so none were raised before Him.
v. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
v. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
All die as Adam did, spiritually and certainly physically returned to dust and are still dead. It is by Christ all
shall be raised from the dead, in a certain order.
v. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.
At His coming those called, chosen and faithful (Rev 17:14) are raised, this is the 'first' resurrection and they shall reign with Him on earth (Rev 5:10). This is the reward of the few (elect) that remained faithful in this life, whose names are in the Book of Life, Christ Jesus.
Rev 3:5 The one who overcomes, this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
The rest of the dead, that is the vast majority of the whole human race, will then be raised, and cast into the lake of fire. This is their time of judgment and cleansing, this is the second death and it is by this lake of fire (not literal of course) that all will be saved.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gives up the dead in it, and death and the unseen give up the dead in them. And they were condemned, each in accord with their acts."
v. 14 And death and the unseen were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death-the lake of fire.
v. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. (CLV)
It is much more complicated then what I have stated, Ray's articles go in to great detail to explain all of this.
I hope this will help some
mercy, peace, and love
Kat