Question :
Where are the dead, and in what condition, or state are they?
Where?
Revelation 20:13
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.
John 5:28, 29
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice, and come out...
Ecclesiastes 3:
19 For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
Job 10:9
Remember that you have made me like clay and you return me to the dust
Job 14:13
“Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.
What condition, or state?
Ecclesiastes 9:
4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Psalm 115:17
The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence.
Psalm 146:
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Isaiah 38:18
For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth.
Psalm 13:3
Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
John 11:11-14
11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”
13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Answer :
The Bible says
- the dead are in the grave, and death is likened to sleep, from which the dead can be awakened - resurrected, if remembered by God.
- the dead are in a state of inactivity, unconscious, and therefore cannot do anything at all.