The truth is that none of us know 100% for sure exactly what will happen when we die…. no matter how much we claim to. Just because you believe something really hard does not make it true.
I agree with your last statement, and somewhat with your first.
I can't say for absolute certainty what the "steps" will be when I die, judgement, new body (physical or spiritual) move in to a mansion, greeted by lost loved ones (a little sarcasm). However, I am absolutely 100% certain that I am going to be in Heaven. There have been a very few times in my life that I am absolutely convinced that I was literally standing/sitting in God's presence (almost like an out of body experience) - complete and total peace, complete and total love/warmth, complete and total understanding. Ironically, none of those events happened at church, with others around, or in a time of need. They just happened with really no explanation as to why or events that would have led to such an encounter.
I have never heard the audible spoken voice of God, nor do I profess to having visually seen the physical shape of God with my eyes - perhaps there are certain senses, feelings or emotions that can't be properly described; but I long for my next encounter.
