Popular tradition often pictures souls going straight to heaven or hell at the moment of death, but Scripture consistently links reward and punishment to specific future events: the resurrection, the judgment, and Christ's return. Paul describes believers receiving their reward "at that day," meaning Christ's appearing, not the moment of death. This framework protects a central biblical truth — final destinies are settled by God's righteous judgment, openly and fairly, rather than happening invisibly and immediately, and it keeps the resurrection, not death, as the true moment of transition.
The great controversy reveals God's character as Christ ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The dead await the resurrection, Christ's return will be visible and personal, and prophecy calls believers to faithful mission rather than date-setting or fear.