What happens immediately after death according to the Bible?

The Bible teaches that immediately following death, each individual will meet God in judgment (Hebrews 9:27). At this judgment, souls will receive what they deserve—eternal life for those in Christ and everlasting punishment for those outside of Him. Luke 16:22-23 illustrates this reality through the story of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing the immediate fate of the soul after death. This underscores the urgency of proclaiming Christ and preparing ourselves to face God, reminding us that our decisions in this life have eternal consequences.