Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; |
Bible Question:
I understand that when I die my soul will leave my body and go to be with Jesus. But the Bible says that at the time of Jesus return, the dead in Christ will rise first to join him in the sky. So, if my soul is already with Him----the only thing in the grave is my earthly body. I don't understand. Will I go to Heaven as soon as I die or will I be in the grave til Jesus comes back to receive me unto Him? I Thess. 4:11-16 |
Bible Answer: Hi Janie, Welcome to the forum. There are a number of verses which confirm that when we die we will be consciously in the presence of the Lord Himself. In 2 Corinthians 5.6-9 we read, 'we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight.' This does not, of course, mean that Christ is not with us now (compare Matthw 28.19-20). The point is rather that we know that he is with us, by faith, although we cannot actually see Him. He 'dwells in our hearts by faith' (Ephesians 3.17). Paul then adds, 'we would rather be away from the body but present with the Lord.' Because this is the opposite statement to that above it clearly means that then we will see Him. And the fact that this refers to a time prior to the rapture and resurrection is brought out by the fact tha it is while we are 'away from the body'. And note verse 9. 'So whether we are at home or away we make it our aim to please Him'. We will continue to seek to please Him after death. But at this stage we will not be wholly complete. To be with Him will be 'gain' (Phil 1.21), but our bodies will not have risen, which is why the bodily resurrection is necessary. That moment is the moment of the final defeat of death. |
Up | View Branch | ID# 228940 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Phil 1:23 | Author | ||
|
janierudack2 | ||
|
srbaegon | ||
|
biblicalman |