So, @Joshua what passages do you suppose are central to this teaching of the intermediate state?

And, what specifically, are the characteristics of the intermediate state to which you hold to?

@Andrew Well you have my answer to your question about scripture for non straight to heaven views. I would point to those passages. As far as what I do believe...

Its more about what it isn't. Its not our eternal existence. Not glorified existence. I don't think we're really meant to be without bodies, that's actually from your other question where Paul seems to not want to be found unclothed. And it matches up with the OT perspective. As far as location, I mentioned before, it may well be in the presence of the Lord, but after you've got the other details sorted that I mention before, location just doesn't seem to matter much.

It's a state of peaceful rest for those who are secure in Christ and anxious restlessness for those fearful of judgement. When Christ comes again, as he went, in the body, the dead in Christ rise first and then they and the saints who are living are gathered to Christ in his descent to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday being a foreshadow).

Basically Justin Martyrs got it. Except the immortal spirit part...I'm not a mortalist, but I am a conditionalist. But I don't fault him for that, too much Greek philosophy was ingrained in him.

The problems I have is what has been added or twisted. I'm fine with leaving it undefined. As long as it's not a replacement for a bodily return and resurrection and our reigning with him eternally in a new heavens and new earth. I believe I can show how these additions and corruptions have necessitated further incorrect theology and made everything a jumbled mess that eventually starts to subvert the truth about IS and the resurrection, and eventually Christ and eternity

Like the secret rapture. What a load of bunk that even my own father is all wrapped up in. I'd sooner believe a list of other options than that Christ is going to come secretly first to take us on holiday to heaven. You only need a secret rapture and it only makes sense if heaven is our final state and the dead are there already.