Does the bible say that ones' bodily death automatically leads to "the judgement" and thus directly to heaven or hell?
Or are transition phases possible? I don't mean reincarnation, I mean different modes of existence for the soul/mind?
I don't think death is the end, I don't think this material universe is the "only chance" you get to figure out God and repent. I think its a pivotal and foundational phase, but not the only phase.
I know Catholics invented purgatory which seems to be a sort of transition phase. I think the better people are the better their afterlife will be, but not necessarily "instant heaven". But a gradual buildup and coming to God. And likewise the worse people are the worse their afterlife will be, but not "instant hell" but a dreary darkness, distanced from God and much harder to get back to Him. But eventually the bible says God wants all to be saved and all will be subjected to Him and he will be all in all. So to me this means that all reality will be "mended" by God and healed, and restored. But hell realms still serve their function of purifying evil.