The answer
The righteous will not be rewarded with the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom, nor will the wicked be condemned to eternal suffering until after the Day of Judgement, when all those who have fallen asleep will rise bodily, but not immediately after death.
The Lord Jesus revealed this in John 5:28-29.
The Apostle Paul also says, “[T]he day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:5-6).
He says also, “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
The body of man and his spirit participated in the good, or bad, works. How, then, can the justice of God allow punishment, or reward, without the body that is asleep and is dust in the tomb, immediately after death?!
See also: 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 6:9-11.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II
Pope Tawadros II, My Faith: A Series of Dialogues on the Creed (Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, 2014), 120–121.
The pages in the book (120–121)
