diff --git a/doc/api/errors.md b/doc/api/errors.md
index 5783724774b600..f479d06f1456fb 100644
--- a/doc/api/errors.md
+++ b/doc/api/errors.md
@@ -1976,11 +1976,6 @@ than the parent module. Linked modules must share the same context.
 
 The linker function returned a module for which linking has failed.
 
-<a id="ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED"></a>
-### ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED
-
-The module must be successfully linked before instantiation.
-
 <a id="ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE"></a>
 ### ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE
 
@@ -2267,6 +2262,11 @@ removed: v10.0.0
 
 Used when a given value is out of the accepted range.
 
+<a id="ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED"></a>
+### ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED
+
+The module must be successfully linked before instantiation.
+
 <a id="ERR_ZLIB_BINDING_CLOSED"></a>
 ### ERR_ZLIB_BINDING_CLOSED
 <!-- YAML
diff --git a/doc/api/vm.md b/doc/api/vm.md
index 18ebd10a63c685..601b8c3052082b 100644
--- a/doc/api/vm.md
+++ b/doc/api/vm.md
@@ -322,9 +322,9 @@ intrinsically asynchronous, in contrast with the synchronous nature of
 `vm.Script` objects. With the help of async functions, however, manipulating
 `vm.SourceTextModule` objects is fairly straightforward.
 
-Using a `vm.SourceTextModule` object requires four distinct steps:
-creation/parsing, linking, instantiation, and evaluation. These four steps are
-illustrated in the following example.
+Using a `vm.SourceTextModule` object requires three distinct steps:
+creation/parsing, linking, and evaluation. These three steps are illustrated in
+the following example.
 
 This implementation lies at a lower level than the [ECMAScript Module
 loader][]. There is also currently no way to interact with the Loader, though
@@ -391,15 +391,6 @@ const contextifiedSandbox = vm.createContext({ secret: 42 });
 
   // Step 3
   //
-  // Instantiate the top-level Module.
-  //
-  // Only the top-level Module needs to be explicitly instantiated; its
-  // dependencies will be recursively instantiated by instantiate().
-
-  bar.instantiate();
-
-  // Step 4
-  //
   // Evaluate the Module. The evaluate() method returns a Promise with a single
   // property "result" that contains the result of the very last statement
   // executed in the Module. In the case of `bar`, it is `s;`, which refers to
@@ -417,8 +408,9 @@ const contextifiedSandbox = vm.createContext({ secret: 42 });
 
 * `code` {string} JavaScript Module code to parse
 * `options`
-  * `url` {string} URL used in module resolution and stack traces. **Default:**
-    `'vm:module(i)'` where `i` is a context-specific ascending index.
+  * `identifier` {string} String used in stack traces.
+    **Default:** `'vm:module(i)'` where `i` is a context-specific ascending
+    index.
   * `context` {Object} The [contextified][] object as returned by the
     `vm.createContext()` method, to compile and evaluate this `Module` in.
   * `lineOffset` {integer} Specifies the line number offset that is displayed
@@ -465,7 +457,6 @@ const contextifiedSandbox = vm.createContext({ secret: 42 });
     });
   // Since module has no dependencies, the linker function will never be called.
   await module.link(() => {});
-  module.instantiate();
   await module.evaluate();
 
   // Now, Object.prototype.secret will be equal to 42.
@@ -516,7 +507,7 @@ in the ECMAScript specification.
 
 Evaluate the module.
 
-This must be called after the module has been instantiated; otherwise it will
+This must be called after the module has been linked; otherwise it will
 throw an error. It could be called also when the module has already been
 evaluated, in which case it will do one of the following two things:
 
@@ -531,23 +522,6 @@ This method cannot be called while the module is being evaluated
 Corresponds to the [Evaluate() concrete method][] field of [Source Text Module
 Record][]s in the ECMAScript specification.
 
-### module.instantiate()
-
-Instantiate the module. This must be called after linking has completed
-(`linkingStatus` is `'linked'`); otherwise it will throw an error. It may also
-throw an exception if one of the dependencies does not provide an export the
-parent module requires.
-
-However, if this function succeeded, further calls to this function after the
-initial instantiation will be no-ops, to be consistent with the ECMAScript
-specification.
-
-Unlike other methods operating on `Module`, this function completes
-synchronously and returns nothing.
-
-Corresponds to the [Instantiate() concrete method][] field of [Source Text
-Module Record][]s in the ECMAScript specification.
-
 ### module.link(linker)
 
 * `linker` {Function}
@@ -563,7 +537,7 @@ Module Record][]s in the ECMAScript specification.
   * Returns: {vm.SourceTextModule|Promise}
 * Returns: {Promise}
 
-Link module dependencies. This method must be called before instantiation, and
+Link module dependencies. This method must be called before evaluation, and
 can only be called once per module.
 
 The function is expected to return a `Module` object or a `Promise` that
@@ -571,9 +545,9 @@ eventually resolves to a `Module` object. The returned `Module` must satisfy the
 following two invariants:
 
 * It must belong to the same context as the parent `Module`.
-* Its `linkingStatus` must not be `'errored'`.
+* Its `status` must not be `'errored'`.
 
-If the returned `Module`'s `linkingStatus` is `'unlinked'`, this method will be
+If the returned `Module`'s `status` is `'unlinked'`, this method will be
 recursively called on the returned `Module` with the same provided `linker`
 function.
 
@@ -587,37 +561,22 @@ specification, with a few key differences:
 
 * The linker function is allowed to be asynchronous while
   [HostResolveImportedModule][] is synchronous.
-* The linker function is executed during linking, a Node.js-specific stage
-  before instantiation, while [HostResolveImportedModule][] is called during
-  instantiation.
 
 The actual [HostResolveImportedModule][] implementation used during module
-instantiation is one that returns the modules linked during linking. Since at
+linking is one that returns the modules linked during linking. Since at
 that point all modules would have been fully linked already, the
 [HostResolveImportedModule][] implementation is fully synchronous per
 specification.
 
-### module.linkingStatus
-
-* {string}
-
-The current linking status of `module`. It will be one of the following values:
-
-* `'unlinked'`: `module.link()` has not yet been called.
-* `'linking'`: `module.link()` has been called, but not all Promises returned by
-  the linker function have been resolved yet.
-* `'linked'`: `module.link()` has been called, and all its dependencies have
-  been successfully linked.
-* `'errored'`: `module.link()` has been called, but at least one of its
-  dependencies failed to link, either because the callback returned a `Promise`
-  that is rejected, or because the `Module` the callback returned is invalid.
+Corresponds to the [Link() concrete method][] field of [Source Text Module
+Record][]s in the ECMAScript specification.
 
 ### module.namespace
 
 * {Object}
 
-The namespace object of the module. This is only available after instantiation
-(`module.instantiate()`) has completed.
+The namespace object of the module. This is only available after linking
+(`module.link()`) has completed.
 
 Corresponds to the [GetModuleNamespace][] abstract operation in the ECMAScript
 specification.
@@ -628,21 +587,13 @@ specification.
 
 The current status of the module. Will be one of:
 
-* `'uninstantiated'`: The module is not instantiated. It may because of any of
-  the following reasons:
-
-  * The module was just created.
-  * `module.instantiate()` has been called on this module, but it failed for
-    some reason.
-
-  This status does not convey any information regarding if `module.link()` has
-  been called. See `module.linkingStatus` for that.
+* `'unlinked'`: `module.link()` has not yet been called.
 
-* `'instantiating'`: The module is currently being instantiated through a
-  `module.instantiate()` call on itself or a parent module.
+* `'linking'`: `module.link()` has been called, but not all Promises returned
+  by the linker function have been resolved yet.
 
-* `'instantiated'`: The module has been instantiated successfully, but
-  `module.evaluate()` has not yet been called.
+* `'linked'`: The module has been linked successfully, and all of its
+  dependencies are linked, but `module.evaluate()` has not yet been called.
 
 * `'evaluating'`: The module is being evaluated through a `module.evaluate()` on
   itself or a parent module.
@@ -656,11 +607,11 @@ Other than `'errored'`, this status string corresponds to the specification's
 `'evaluated'` in the specification, but with `[[EvaluationError]]` set to a
 value that is not `undefined`.
 
-### module.url
+### module.identifier
 
 * {string}
 
-The URL of the current module, as set in the constructor.
+The identifier of the current module, as set in the constructor.
 
 ## vm.compileFunction(code[, params[, options]])
 <!-- YAML
@@ -1127,11 +1078,11 @@ queues.
 [`vm.runInContext()`]: #vm_vm_runincontext_code_contextifiedsandbox_options
 [`vm.runInThisContext()`]: #vm_vm_runinthiscontext_code_options
 [ECMAScript Module Loader]: esm.html#esm_ecmascript_modules
-[Evaluate() concrete method]: https://tc39.github.io/ecma262/#sec-moduleevaluation
-[GetModuleNamespace]: https://tc39.github.io/ecma262/#sec-getmodulenamespace
-[HostResolveImportedModule]: https://tc39.github.io/ecma262/#sec-hostresolveimportedmodule
-[Instantiate() concrete method]: https://tc39.github.io/ecma262/#sec-moduledeclarationinstantiation
-[Source Text Module Record]: https://tc39.github.io/ecma262/#sec-source-text-module-records
+[Evaluate() concrete method]: https://tc39.es/ecma262/#sec-moduleevaluation
+[GetModuleNamespace]: https://tc39.es/ecma262/#sec-getmodulenamespace
+[HostResolveImportedModule]: https://tc39.es/ecma262/#sec-hostresolveimportedmodule
+[Link() concrete method]: https://tc39.es/ecma262/#sec-moduledeclarationlinking
+[Source Text Module Record]: https://tc39.es/ecma262/#sec-source-text-module-records
 [V8 Embedder's Guide]: https://v8.dev/docs/embed#contexts
 [contextified]: #vm_what_does_it_mean_to_contextify_an_object
 [global object]: https://es5.github.io/#x15.1
diff --git a/lib/internal/errors.js b/lib/internal/errors.js
index 8412c710c9c06c..8090b4d66cb3d7 100644
--- a/lib/internal/errors.js
+++ b/lib/internal/errors.js
@@ -1203,8 +1203,6 @@ E('ERR_VM_MODULE_DIFFERENT_CONTEXT',
   'Linked modules must use the same context', Error);
 E('ERR_VM_MODULE_LINKING_ERRORED',
   'Linking has already failed for the provided module', Error);
-E('ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED',
-  'Module must be linked before it can be instantiated', Error);
 E('ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE',
   'Provided module is not an instance of Module', Error);
 E('ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS', 'Module status %s', Error);
diff --git a/lib/internal/modules/esm/loader.js b/lib/internal/modules/esm/loader.js
index 09109d3c71287f..9800e8a550c2e0 100644
--- a/lib/internal/modules/esm/loader.js
+++ b/lib/internal/modules/esm/loader.js
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ class Loader {
     this.moduleMap.set(url, job);
     const { module, result } = await job.run();
     return {
-      namespace: module.namespace(),
+      namespace: module.getNamespace(),
       result
     };
   }
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class Loader {
   async import(specifier, parent) {
     const job = await this.getModuleJob(specifier, parent);
     const { module } = await job.run();
-    return module.namespace();
+    return module.getNamespace();
   }
 
   hook({ resolve, dynamicInstantiate }) {
diff --git a/lib/internal/vm/source_text_module.js b/lib/internal/vm/source_text_module.js
index 881c298ce52678..61af2e7a29c7e7 100644
--- a/lib/internal/vm/source_text_module.js
+++ b/lib/internal/vm/source_text_module.js
@@ -3,14 +3,12 @@
 const { Object, SafePromise } = primordials;
 
 const { isModuleNamespaceObject } = require('internal/util/types');
-const { URL } = require('internal/url');
 const { isContext } = internalBinding('contextify');
 const {
   ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE,
   ERR_VM_MODULE_ALREADY_LINKED,
   ERR_VM_MODULE_DIFFERENT_CONTEXT,
   ERR_VM_MODULE_LINKING_ERRORED,
-  ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED,
   ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE,
   ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS,
 } = require('internal/errors').codes;
@@ -22,7 +20,7 @@ const {
 const {
   validateInt32,
   validateUint32,
-  validateString
+  validateString,
 } = require('internal/validators');
 
 const binding = internalBinding('module_wrap');
@@ -37,29 +35,33 @@ const {
 } = binding;
 
 const STATUS_MAP = {
-  [kUninstantiated]: 'uninstantiated',
-  [kInstantiating]: 'instantiating',
-  [kInstantiated]: 'instantiated',
+  [kUninstantiated]: 'unlinked',
+  [kInstantiating]: 'linking',
+  [kInstantiated]: 'linked',
   [kEvaluating]: 'evaluating',
   [kEvaluated]: 'evaluated',
   [kErrored]: 'errored',
 };
 
 let globalModuleId = 0;
+const defaultModuleName = 'vm:module';
 const perContextModuleId = new WeakMap();
-const wrapMap = new WeakMap();
-const dependencyCacheMap = new WeakMap();
-const linkingStatusMap = new WeakMap();
-// ModuleWrap -> vm.SourceTextModule
 const wrapToModuleMap = new WeakMap();
-const defaultModuleName = 'vm:module';
 
-// TODO(devsnek): figure out AbstractModule class or protocol
+const kNoError = Symbol('kNoError');
+
 class SourceTextModule {
-  constructor(src, options = {}) {
+  #wrap;
+  #identifier;
+  #context;
+  #dependencySpecifiers;
+  #statusOverride;
+  #error = kNoError;
+
+  constructor(source, options = {}) {
     emitExperimentalWarning('vm.SourceTextModule');
 
-    validateString(src, 'src');
+    validateString(source, 'source');
     if (typeof options !== 'object' || options === null)
       throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE('options', 'Object', options);
 
@@ -81,21 +83,6 @@ class SourceTextModule {
       }
     }
 
-    let { url } = options;
-    if (url !== undefined) {
-      validateString(url, 'options.url');
-      url = new URL(url).href;
-    } else if (context === undefined) {
-      url = `${defaultModuleName}(${globalModuleId++})`;
-    } else if (perContextModuleId.has(context)) {
-      const curId = perContextModuleId.get(context);
-      url = `${defaultModuleName}(${curId})`;
-      perContextModuleId.set(context, curId + 1);
-    } else {
-      url = `${defaultModuleName}(0)`;
-      perContextModuleId.set(context, 1);
-    }
-
     validateInt32(lineOffset, 'options.lineOffset');
     validateInt32(columnOffset, 'options.columnOffset');
 
@@ -111,114 +98,167 @@ class SourceTextModule {
         'options.importModuleDynamically', 'function', importModuleDynamically);
     }
 
-    const wrap = new ModuleWrap(src, url, context, lineOffset, columnOffset);
-    wrapMap.set(this, wrap);
-    linkingStatusMap.set(this, 'unlinked');
-    wrapToModuleMap.set(wrap, this);
+    let { identifier } = options;
+    if (identifier !== undefined) {
+      validateString(identifier, 'options.identifier');
+    } else if (context === undefined) {
+      identifier = `${defaultModuleName}(${globalModuleId++})`;
+    } else if (perContextModuleId.has(context)) {
+      const curId = perContextModuleId.get(context);
+      identifier = `${defaultModuleName}(${curId})`;
+      perContextModuleId.set(context, curId + 1);
+    } else {
+      identifier = `${defaultModuleName}(0)`;
+      perContextModuleId.set(context, 1);
+    }
 
-    binding.callbackMap.set(wrap, {
+    this.#wrap = new ModuleWrap(
+      source, identifier, context,
+      lineOffset, columnOffset,
+    );
+    wrapToModuleMap.set(this.#wrap, this);
+    this.#identifier = identifier;
+    this.#context = context;
+
+    binding.callbackMap.set(this.#wrap, {
       initializeImportMeta,
-      importModuleDynamically: importModuleDynamically ? async (...args) => {
-        const m = await importModuleDynamically(...args);
-        if (isModuleNamespaceObject(m)) {
-          return m;
-        }
-        if (!m || !wrapMap.has(m))
-          throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
-        const childLinkingStatus = linkingStatusMap.get(m);
-        if (childLinkingStatus === 'errored')
-          throw m.error;
-        return m.namespace;
-      } : undefined,
+      importModuleDynamically: importModuleDynamically ?
+        importModuleDynamicallyWrap(importModuleDynamically) :
+        undefined,
     });
+  }
 
-    Object.defineProperties(this, {
-      url: { value: url, enumerable: true },
-      context: { value: context, enumerable: true },
-    });
+  get status() {
+    try {
+      this.#error;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+    if (this.#error !== kNoError) {
+      return 'errored';
+    }
+    if (this.#statusOverride) {
+      return this.#statusOverride;
+    }
+    return STATUS_MAP[this.#wrap.getStatus()];
   }
 
-  get linkingStatus() {
-    return linkingStatusMap.get(this);
+  get identifier() {
+    try {
+      return this.#identifier;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
   }
 
-  get status() {
-    return STATUS_MAP[wrapMap.get(this).getStatus()];
+  get context() {
+    try {
+      return this.#context;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
   }
 
   get namespace() {
-    const wrap = wrapMap.get(this);
-    if (wrap.getStatus() < kInstantiated)
-      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS(
-        'must not be uninstantiated or instantiating'
-      );
-    return wrap.namespace();
+    try {
+      this.#wrap;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+    if (this.#wrap.getStatus() < kInstantiated) {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS('must not be unlinked or linking');
+    }
+    return this.#wrap.getNamespace();
   }
 
   get dependencySpecifiers() {
-    let deps = dependencyCacheMap.get(this);
-    if (deps !== undefined)
-      return deps;
-
-    deps = wrapMap.get(this).getStaticDependencySpecifiers();
-    Object.freeze(deps);
-    dependencyCacheMap.set(this, deps);
-    return deps;
+    try {
+      this.#dependencySpecifiers;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+    if (this.#dependencySpecifiers === undefined) {
+      this.#dependencySpecifiers = this.#wrap.getStaticDependencySpecifiers();
+    }
+    return this.#dependencySpecifiers;
   }
 
   get error() {
-    const wrap = wrapMap.get(this);
-    if (wrap.getStatus() !== kErrored)
+    try {
+      this.#error;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+    if (this.#error !== kNoError) {
+      return this.#error;
+    }
+    if (this.#wrap.getStatus() !== kErrored) {
       throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS('must be errored');
-    return wrap.getError();
+    }
+    return this.#wrap.getError();
   }
 
   async link(linker) {
-    if (typeof linker !== 'function')
+    try {
+      this.#link;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+
+    if (typeof linker !== 'function') {
       throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE('linker', 'function', linker);
-    if (linkingStatusMap.get(this) !== 'unlinked')
+    }
+    if (this.status !== 'unlinked') {
       throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_ALREADY_LINKED();
-    const wrap = wrapMap.get(this);
-    if (wrap.getStatus() !== kUninstantiated)
-      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS('must be uninstantiated');
+    }
 
-    linkingStatusMap.set(this, 'linking');
+    await this.#link(linker);
 
-    const promises = wrap.link(async (specifier) => {
-      const m = await linker(specifier, this);
-      if (!m || !wrapMap.has(m))
+    this.#wrap.instantiate();
+  }
+
+  #link = async function(linker) {
+    this.#statusOverride = 'linking';
+
+    const promises = this.#wrap.link(async (identifier) => {
+      const module = await linker(identifier, this);
+      try {
+        module.#wrap;
+      } catch {
         throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
-      if (m.context !== this.context)
+      }
+      if (module.context !== this.context) {
         throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_DIFFERENT_CONTEXT();
-      const childLinkingStatus = linkingStatusMap.get(m);
-      if (childLinkingStatus === 'errored')
+      }
+      if (module.status === 'errored') {
         throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_LINKING_ERRORED();
-      if (childLinkingStatus === 'unlinked')
-        await m.link(linker);
-      return wrapMap.get(m);
+      }
+      if (module.status === 'unlinked') {
+        await module.#link(linker);
+      }
+      return module.#wrap;
     });
 
     try {
-      if (promises !== undefined)
+      if (promises !== undefined) {
         await SafePromise.all(promises);
-      linkingStatusMap.set(this, 'linked');
-    } catch (err) {
-      linkingStatusMap.set(this, 'errored');
-      throw err;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      this.#error = e;
+      throw e;
+    } finally {
+      this.#statusOverride = undefined;
     }
-  }
+  };
 
-  instantiate() {
-    const wrap = wrapMap.get(this);
-    const status = wrap.getStatus();
-    if (status === kInstantiating || status === kEvaluating)
-      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS('must not be instantiating or evaluating');
-    if (linkingStatusMap.get(this) !== 'linked')
-      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED();
-    wrap.instantiate();
-  }
 
   async evaluate(options = {}) {
+    try {
+      this.#wrap;
+    } catch {
+      throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+    }
+
     if (typeof options !== 'object' || options === null) {
       throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE('options', 'Object', options);
     }
@@ -229,24 +269,41 @@ class SourceTextModule {
     } else {
       validateUint32(timeout, 'options.timeout', true);
     }
-
     const { breakOnSigint = false } = options;
     if (typeof breakOnSigint !== 'boolean') {
       throw new ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE('options.breakOnSigint', 'boolean',
                                      breakOnSigint);
     }
-
-    const wrap = wrapMap.get(this);
-    const status = wrap.getStatus();
+    const status = this.#wrap.getStatus();
     if (status !== kInstantiated &&
         status !== kEvaluated &&
         status !== kErrored) {
       throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS(
-        'must be one of instantiated, evaluated, and errored'
+        'must be one of linked, evaluated, or errored'
       );
     }
-    const result = wrap.evaluate(timeout, breakOnSigint);
-    return { result, __proto__: null };
+    const result = this.#wrap.evaluate(timeout, breakOnSigint);
+    return { __proto__: null, result };
+  }
+
+  static importModuleDynamicallyWrap(importModuleDynamically) {
+    // Named declaration for function name
+    const importModuleDynamicallyWrapper = async (...args) => {
+      const m = await importModuleDynamically(...args);
+      if (isModuleNamespaceObject(m)) {
+        return m;
+      }
+      try {
+        m.#wrap;
+      } catch {
+        throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
+      }
+      if (m.status === 'errored') {
+        throw m.error;
+      }
+      return m.namespace;
+    };
+    return importModuleDynamicallyWrapper;
   }
 
   [customInspectSymbol](depth, options) {
@@ -258,16 +315,19 @@ class SourceTextModule {
 
     const o = Object.create({ constructor: ctor });
     o.status = this.status;
-    o.linkingStatus = this.linkingStatus;
-    o.url = this.url;
+    o.identifier = this.identifier;
     o.context = this.context;
     return require('internal/util/inspect').inspect(o, options);
   }
 }
 
+// Declared as static to allow access to #wrap
+const importModuleDynamicallyWrap =
+  SourceTextModule.importModuleDynamicallyWrap;
+delete SourceTextModule.importModuleDynamicallyWrap;
+
 module.exports = {
   SourceTextModule,
   wrapToModuleMap,
-  wrapMap,
-  linkingStatusMap,
+  importModuleDynamicallyWrap,
 };
diff --git a/lib/vm.js b/lib/vm.js
index ec6614e66146a7..90f332c7750810 100644
--- a/lib/vm.js
+++ b/lib/vm.js
@@ -31,10 +31,8 @@ const {
 } = internalBinding('contextify');
 const {
   ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE,
-  ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE,
 } = require('internal/errors').codes;
 const {
-  isModuleNamespaceObject,
   isArrayBufferView,
 } = require('internal/util/types');
 const {
@@ -100,21 +98,13 @@ class Script extends ContextifyScript {
                                        'function',
                                        importModuleDynamically);
       }
-      const { wrapMap, linkingStatusMap } =
+      const { importModuleDynamicallyWrap } =
         require('internal/vm/source_text_module');
       const { callbackMap } = internalBinding('module_wrap');
-      callbackMap.set(this, { importModuleDynamically: async (...args) => {
-        const m = await importModuleDynamically(...args);
-        if (isModuleNamespaceObject(m)) {
-          return m;
-        }
-        if (!m || !wrapMap.has(m))
-          throw new ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE();
-        const childLinkingStatus = linkingStatusMap.get(m);
-        if (childLinkingStatus === 'errored')
-          throw m.error;
-        return m.namespace;
-      } });
+      callbackMap.set(this, {
+        importModuleDynamically:
+          importModuleDynamicallyWrap(importModuleDynamically),
+      });
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/module_wrap.cc b/src/module_wrap.cc
index aeb44675f6127d..4a572c00e15086 100644
--- a/src/module_wrap.cc
+++ b/src/module_wrap.cc
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ void ModuleWrap::Evaluate(const FunctionCallbackInfo<Value>& args) {
   args.GetReturnValue().Set(result.ToLocalChecked());
 }
 
-void ModuleWrap::Namespace(const FunctionCallbackInfo<Value>& args) {
+void ModuleWrap::GetNamespace(const FunctionCallbackInfo<Value>& args) {
   Environment* env = Environment::GetCurrent(args);
   Isolate* isolate = args.GetIsolate();
   ModuleWrap* obj;
@@ -1328,8 +1328,12 @@ void ModuleWrap::HostInitializeImportMetaObjectCallback(
   Local<Function> callback =
       env->host_initialize_import_meta_object_callback();
   Local<Value> args[] = { wrap, meta };
-  callback->Call(context, Undefined(env->isolate()), arraysize(args), args)
-      .ToLocalChecked();
+  TryCatchScope try_catch(env);
+  USE(callback->Call(
+        context, Undefined(env->isolate()), arraysize(args), args));
+  if (try_catch.HasCaught() && !try_catch.HasTerminated()) {
+    try_catch.ReThrow();
+  }
 }
 
 void ModuleWrap::SetInitializeImportMetaObjectCallback(
@@ -1360,7 +1364,7 @@ void ModuleWrap::Initialize(Local<Object> target,
   env->SetProtoMethod(tpl, "link", Link);
   env->SetProtoMethod(tpl, "instantiate", Instantiate);
   env->SetProtoMethod(tpl, "evaluate", Evaluate);
-  env->SetProtoMethodNoSideEffect(tpl, "namespace", Namespace);
+  env->SetProtoMethodNoSideEffect(tpl, "getNamespace", GetNamespace);
   env->SetProtoMethodNoSideEffect(tpl, "getStatus", GetStatus);
   env->SetProtoMethodNoSideEffect(tpl, "getError", GetError);
   env->SetProtoMethodNoSideEffect(tpl, "getStaticDependencySpecifiers",
diff --git a/src/module_wrap.h b/src/module_wrap.h
index 6c79781a9d3a78..9e2aa3b9489dd3 100644
--- a/src/module_wrap.h
+++ b/src/module_wrap.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class ModuleWrap : public BaseObject {
   static void Link(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
   static void Instantiate(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
   static void Evaluate(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
-  static void Namespace(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
+  static void GetNamespace(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
   static void GetStatus(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
   static void GetError(const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& args);
   static void GetStaticDependencySpecifiers(
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-internal-module-wrap.js b/test/parallel/test-internal-module-wrap.js
index ee0b722d450103..116a300543315c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-internal-module-wrap.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-internal-module-wrap.js
@@ -25,5 +25,5 @@ const bar = new ModuleWrap('export const five = 5', 'bar');
   foo.instantiate();
 
   assert.strictEqual(await foo.evaluate(-1, false), 6);
-  assert.strictEqual(foo.namespace().five, 5);
+  assert.strictEqual(foo.getNamespace().five, 5);
 })();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-util-inspect-namespace.js b/test/parallel/test-util-inspect-namespace.js
index f2b6e57178b041..89b26fcdbcf1b2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-util-inspect-namespace.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-util-inspect-namespace.js
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ const { inspect } = require('util');
 (async () => {
   const m = new SourceTextModule('export const a = 1; export var b = 2');
   await m.link(() => 0);
-  m.instantiate();
   assert.strictEqual(
     inspect(m.namespace),
     '[Module] { a: <uninitialized>, b: undefined }');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-util-types.js b/test/parallel/test-util-types.js
index 69ebaaba12b00f..6a9bad01699333 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-util-types.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-util-types.js
@@ -281,7 +281,6 @@ for (const [ value, _method ] of [
 (async () => {
   const m = new vm.SourceTextModule('');
   await m.link(() => 0);
-  m.instantiate();
   await m.evaluate();
   assert.ok(types.isModuleNamespaceObject(m.namespace));
 })();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-basic.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-basic.js
index 76a8e8a3d2893c..cbe5e29d3cb0e6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-basic.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-basic.js
@@ -17,10 +17,9 @@ const util = require('util');
     'baz = foo; typeofProcess = typeof process; typeof Object;',
     { context }
   );
-  assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'uninstantiated');
+  assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'unlinked');
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
-  assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'instantiated');
+  assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'linked');
   const result = await m.evaluate();
   assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'evaluated');
   assert.strictEqual(Object.getPrototypeOf(result), null);
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@ const util = require('util');
     'global.vmResult = "foo"; Object.prototype.toString.call(process);'
   );
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
   const { result } = await m.evaluate();
   assert.strictEqual(global.vmResult, 'foo');
   assert.strictEqual(result, '[object process]');
@@ -47,22 +45,21 @@ const util = require('util');
 (async () => {
   const m = new SourceTextModule('while (true) {}');
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
   await m.evaluate({ timeout: 500 })
     .then(() => assert(false), () => {});
 })();
 
-// Check the generated url for each module
+// Check the generated identifier for each module
 (async () => {
   const context1 = createContext({ });
   const context2 = createContext({ });
 
   const m1 = new SourceTextModule('1', { context: context1 });
-  assert.strictEqual(m1.url, 'vm:module(0)');
+  assert.strictEqual(m1.identifier, 'vm:module(0)');
   const m2 = new SourceTextModule('2', { context: context1 });
-  assert.strictEqual(m2.url, 'vm:module(1)');
+  assert.strictEqual(m2.identifier, 'vm:module(1)');
   const m3 = new SourceTextModule('3', { context: context2 });
-  assert.strictEqual(m3.url, 'vm:module(0)');
+  assert.strictEqual(m3.identifier, 'vm:module(0)');
 })();
 
 // Check inspection of the instance
@@ -72,13 +69,19 @@ const util = require('util');
 
   assert.strictEqual(
     util.inspect(m),
-    "SourceTextModule {\n  status: 'uninstantiated',\n  linkingStatus:" +
-    " 'unlinked',\n  url: 'vm:module(0)',\n  context: { foo: 'bar' }\n}"
+    `SourceTextModule {
+  status: 'unlinked',
+  identifier: 'vm:module(0)',
+  context: { foo: 'bar' }
+}`
   );
   assert.strictEqual(
     m[util.inspect.custom].call(Object.create(null)),
-    'SourceTextModule {\n  status: undefined,\n  linkingStatus: undefined,' +
-    '\n  url: undefined,\n  context: undefined\n}'
+    `SourceTextModule {
+  status: undefined,
+  identifier: undefined,
+  context: undefined
+}`,
   );
   assert.strictEqual(util.inspect(m, { depth: -1 }), '[SourceTextModule]');
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-import.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-import.js
index 600f455e93306e..897d9f27d73376 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-import.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-import.js
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ const { Script, SourceTextModule, createContext } = require('vm');
 async function testNoCallback() {
   const m = new SourceTextModule('import("foo")', { context: createContext() });
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
   const { result } = await m.evaluate();
   let threw = false;
   try {
@@ -25,7 +24,6 @@ async function testNoCallback() {
 async function test() {
   const foo = new SourceTextModule('export const a = 1;');
   await foo.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  foo.instantiate();
   await foo.evaluate();
 
   {
@@ -50,7 +48,6 @@ async function test() {
       }),
     });
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    m.instantiate();
     const { result } = await m.evaluate();
     assert.strictEqual(foo.namespace, await result);
   }
@@ -63,7 +60,6 @@ async function testInvalid() {
     }),
   });
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
   const { result } = await m.evaluate();
   await result.catch(common.mustCall((e) => {
     assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_MODULE');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-namespace.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-namespace.js
index bcd91daebd0ff6..987b21f2ec1151 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-namespace.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-dynamic-namespace.js
@@ -1,35 +1,30 @@
 'use strict';
 
-// Flags: --experimental-vm-modules --expose-internals
-//
+// Flags: --experimental-vm-modules
+
 const common = require('../common');
 
 const assert = require('assert');
 
 const { types } = require('util');
-const { SourceTextModule, wrapMap } = require('internal/vm/source_text_module');
-
-const { importModuleDynamicallyCallback } =
-  require('internal/process/esm_loader');
+const { SourceTextModule } = require('vm');
 
 async function getNamespace() {
   const m = new SourceTextModule('');
   await m.link(() => 0);
-  m.instantiate();
   await m.evaluate();
   return m.namespace;
 }
 
 (async () => {
   const namespace = await getNamespace();
-  const m = new SourceTextModule('export const A = "A";', {
+  const m = new SourceTextModule('export const A = "A"; import("");', {
     importModuleDynamically: common.mustCall((specifier, wrap) => {
       return namespace;
     })
   });
   await m.link(() => 0);
-  m.instantiate();
-  await m.evaluate();
-  const ns = await importModuleDynamicallyCallback(wrapMap.get(m));
+  const { result } = await m.evaluate();
+  const ns = await result;
   assert.ok(types.isModuleNamespaceObject(ns));
 })().then(common.mustCall());
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-errors.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-errors.js
index a92863b1251c57..e76bbbb0e1afc0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-errors.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-errors.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ async function checkArgType() {
   });
 
   for (const invalidOptions of [
-    0, 1, null, true, 'str', () => {}, { url: 0 }, Symbol.iterator,
+    0, 1, null, true, 'str', () => {}, { identifier: 0 }, Symbol.iterator,
     { context: null }, { context: 'hucairz' }, { context: {} }
   ]) {
     common.expectsError(() => {
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ async function checkModuleState() {
   await assert.rejects(async () => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    assert.strictEqual(m.linkingStatus, 'linked');
+    assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'linked');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
   }, {
     code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_ALREADY_LINKED'
@@ -61,54 +61,18 @@ async function checkModuleState() {
   await assert.rejects(async () => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('');
     m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    assert.strictEqual(m.linkingStatus, 'linking');
+    assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'linking');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
   }, {
     code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_ALREADY_LINKED'
   });
 
-  common.expectsError(() => {
-    const m = new SourceTextModule('');
-    m.instantiate();
-  }, {
-    code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED'
-  });
-
-  await assert.rejects(async () => {
-    const m = new SourceTextModule('import "foo";');
-    try {
-      await m.link(common.mustCall(() => ({})));
-    } catch {
-      assert.strictEqual(m.linkingStatus, 'errored');
-      m.instantiate();
-    }
-  }, {
-    code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED'
-  });
-
-  {
-    const m = new SourceTextModule('import "foo";');
-    await m.link(common.mustCall(async (specifier, module) => {
-      assert.strictEqual(module, m);
-      assert.strictEqual(specifier, 'foo');
-      assert.strictEqual(m.linkingStatus, 'linking');
-      common.expectsError(() => {
-        m.instantiate();
-      }, {
-        code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_NOT_LINKED'
-      });
-      return new SourceTextModule('');
-    }));
-    m.instantiate();
-    await m.evaluate();
-  }
-
   await assert.rejects(async () => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('');
     await m.evaluate();
   }, {
     code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS',
-    message: 'Module status must be one of instantiated, evaluated, and errored'
+    message: 'Module status must be one of linked, evaluated, or errored'
   });
 
   await assert.rejects(async () => {
@@ -120,14 +84,6 @@ async function checkModuleState() {
              'Received type boolean'
   });
 
-  await assert.rejects(async () => {
-    const m = await createEmptyLinkedModule();
-    await m.evaluate();
-  }, {
-    code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS',
-    message: 'Module status must be one of instantiated, evaluated, and errored'
-  });
-
   common.expectsError(() => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('');
     m.error;
@@ -138,7 +94,6 @@ async function checkModuleState() {
 
   await assert.rejects(async () => {
     const m = await createEmptyLinkedModule();
-    m.instantiate();
     await m.evaluate();
     m.error;
   }, {
@@ -151,15 +106,7 @@ async function checkModuleState() {
     m.namespace;
   }, {
     code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS',
-    message: 'Module status must not be uninstantiated or instantiating'
-  });
-
-  await assert.rejects(async () => {
-    const m = await createEmptyLinkedModule();
-    m.namespace;
-  }, {
-    code: 'ERR_VM_MODULE_STATUS',
-    message: 'Module status must not be uninstantiated or instantiating'
+    message: 'Module status must not be unlinked or linking'
   });
 }
 
@@ -170,7 +117,7 @@ async function checkLinking() {
     try {
       await m.link(common.mustCall(() => ({})));
     } catch (err) {
-      assert.strictEqual(m.linkingStatus, 'errored');
+      assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'errored');
       throw err;
     }
   }, {
@@ -185,7 +132,7 @@ async function checkLinking() {
     try {
       await bar.link(common.mustCall(() => foo));
     } catch (err) {
-      assert.strictEqual(bar.linkingStatus, 'errored');
+      assert.strictEqual(bar.status, 'errored');
       throw err;
     }
   }, {
@@ -199,7 +146,7 @@ async function checkLinking() {
     } catch {
       // ignored
     } finally {
-      assert.strictEqual(erroredModule.linkingStatus, 'errored');
+      assert.strictEqual(erroredModule.status, 'errored');
     }
 
     const rootModule = new SourceTextModule('import "errored";');
@@ -224,19 +171,17 @@ common.expectsError(() => {
 async function checkExecution() {
   await (async () => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('import { nonexistent } from "module";');
-    await m.link(common.mustCall(() => new SourceTextModule('')));
 
     // There is no code for this exception since it is thrown by the JavaScript
     // engine.
-    assert.throws(() => {
-      m.instantiate();
+    await assert.rejects(() => {
+      return m.link(common.mustCall(() => new SourceTextModule('')));
     }, SyntaxError);
   })();
 
   await (async () => {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('throw new Error();');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    m.instantiate();
     const evaluatePromise = m.evaluate();
     await evaluatePromise.catch(() => {});
     assert.strictEqual(m.status, 'errored');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-import-meta.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-import-meta.js
index 4886464f34e1ae..1db4467b085752 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-import-meta.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-import-meta.js
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ async function testBasic() {
     })
   });
   await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-  m.instantiate();
   const { result } = await m.evaluate();
   assert.strictEqual(typeof result, 'object');
   assert.strictEqual(Object.getPrototypeOf(result), null);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-link.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-link.js
index 20518c40540485..9678d1373785be 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-link.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-link.js
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ async function simple() {
     return foo;
   }));
 
-  bar.instantiate();
-
   assert.strictEqual((await bar.evaluate()).result, 5);
 }
 
@@ -49,7 +47,6 @@ async function depth() {
   const baz = await getProxy('bar', bar);
   const barz = await getProxy('baz', baz);
 
-  barz.instantiate();
   await barz.evaluate();
 
   assert.strictEqual(barz.namespace.default, 5);
@@ -67,20 +64,19 @@ async function circular() {
       return foo;
     }
   `);
-  await foo.link(common.mustCall(async (fooSpecifier, fooModule) => {
-    assert.strictEqual(fooModule, foo);
-    assert.strictEqual(fooSpecifier, 'bar');
-    await bar.link(common.mustCall((barSpecifier, barModule) => {
-      assert.strictEqual(barModule, bar);
-      assert.strictEqual(barSpecifier, 'foo');
-      assert.strictEqual(foo.linkingStatus, 'linking');
-      return foo;
-    }));
-    assert.strictEqual(bar.linkingStatus, 'linked');
-    return bar;
-  }));
+  await foo.link(common.mustCall(async (specifier, module) => {
+    if (specifier === 'bar') {
+      assert.strictEqual(module, foo);
+      return bar;
+    }
+    assert.strictEqual(specifier, 'foo');
+    assert.strictEqual(module, bar);
+    assert.strictEqual(foo.status, 'linking');
+    return foo;
+  }, 2));
+
+  assert.strictEqual(bar.status, 'linked');
 
-  foo.instantiate();
   await foo.evaluate();
   assert.strictEqual(foo.namespace.default, 42);
 }
@@ -109,19 +105,20 @@ async function circular2() {
     `
   };
   const moduleMap = new Map();
-  const rootModule = new SourceTextModule(sourceMap.root, { url: 'vm:root' });
+  const rootModule = new SourceTextModule(sourceMap.root, {
+    identifier: 'vm:root',
+  });
   async function link(specifier, referencingModule) {
     if (moduleMap.has(specifier)) {
       return moduleMap.get(specifier);
     }
     const mod = new SourceTextModule(sourceMap[specifier], {
-      url: new URL(specifier, 'file:///').href,
+      identifier: new URL(specifier, 'file:///').href,
     });
     moduleMap.set(specifier, mod);
     return mod;
   }
   await rootModule.link(link);
-  rootModule.instantiate();
   await rootModule.evaluate();
 }
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-reevaluate.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-reevaluate.js
index c3914f362fa814..4767541dd24c37 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-module-reevaluate.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-module-reevaluate.js
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ const finished = common.mustCall();
   {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('1');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    m.instantiate();
     assert.strictEqual((await m.evaluate()).result, 1);
     assert.strictEqual((await m.evaluate()).result, undefined);
     assert.strictEqual((await m.evaluate()).result, undefined);
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ const finished = common.mustCall();
   {
     const m = new SourceTextModule('throw new Error()');
     await m.link(common.mustNotCall());
-    m.instantiate();
 
     let threw = false;
     try {