“I took your remark to mean that you were an adherent of the school of thought that, upon death, one enters an unconscious state, a sort of spiritual suspended animation, until Judgement Day.”
That is partially correct. Of course there are many saints who are in Heaven now with tasks to be performed no doubt. The majority will have to wait for Second Coming to awaken from their sleep. As for souls being tormented in Hell now, that would be ridiculous to have the punishment before the trial. The Great White Throne judgement will be an event that all will participate in. It hasn’t happened yet so nobody should be in Hell at this time except for the usual suspects (Satan and fellow demons).
If what you say is true, what are we to make of the story of Lazarus and the rich man?
I re-iterate that - regardless as to whether one thinks it's a parable, an allusion, a metaphor, etc. - it would fall flat on its face among listeners who recognized that its primary premise - the image of a sinner suffering torments in the Hereafter, a sinner who begs to warn his relatives still on Earth, i.e., obviously long before Judgement Day - was nonsense.
NO instructive story can include major elements - e.g. "Herbert Hoover with his finger on the nuclear button," etc. - which are patently ridiculous.
Ergo: Christ believed - and his listeners accepted as plausible - that, after death, punishment and rewards are immediately meted out.
Regards,