To me the idea of a place for dead folks to wait 'till judgement is a human thing. Its like the need for a zero in math: it serves a function, but its really just a place holder. I have always been under the impression that everyone is going to get to heaven at the same time--which isn't outside the realm of possibility for an Eternal God who created time along with everything else. The idea of restricting him to a linear timeline isn't very appealing. (Note I'm not advocating the non-existence of hell just taking a slap at the idea of purgatory-like waiting locations)

Plus, I don't really see anything like that laid out in the NT.

Josh
"...the word of God is not bound."--2 Timothy 2:9