[Phl 1:23 KJV] 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:..............In the surrounding verses, Paul is speaking about his physical death. Paul is declaring that upon death he had the expectation of being with Christ.
[2Co 5:2, 6, 8 KJV] 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ... 6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ... 8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord................people use this verse to substantiate that when we die, we go to be with Christ. I believe we do go to be with the Lord upon death, however I don't think this verse supports it. Upon examination, the context of this verse leaves no doubt that we can see it is about the resurrection of our bodies. In the resurrection we shed these bodies, thus being absent from these mortal bodies, we are able to be present with him. It is therefore not best to apply this verse to show we will be in the presence of Christ upon death, even though we will.
[2Co 5:2, 6, 8 KJV] 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ... 6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ... 8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord................people use this verse to substantiate that when we die, we go to be with Christ. I believe we do go to be with the Lord upon death, however I don't think this verse supports it. Upon examination, the context of this verse leaves no doubt that we can see it is about the resurrection of our bodies. In the resurrection we shed these bodies, thus being absent from these mortal bodies, we are able to be present with him. It is therefore not best to apply this verse to show we will be in the presence of Christ upon death, even though we will.
