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FREE Booklet What Happens After Death?

Paul's Desire to 'Depart and Be With Christ'

The apostle Paul dedicated his life to preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). In the process he was subjected to persecution, beatings and several periods of imprisonment. When he wrote his letter to the Philippians he was enduring a period of house arrest in Rome. Paul knew that the Roman government had authority to put prisoners to death. Paul knew what the future might hold for him, whether it be execution on the one hand or his release on the other.

In Philippians 1:23-24 he wrote of the two possible outcomes: "For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you."

Many have assumed from Paul's words here that he believed that at the moment of his death he would join Christ in heaven. However, this is not the case.

Paul knew that if he were executed he would go to the grave, and there his remains would lie until the time of his resurrection. Paul knew that, since the dead have no thought processes whatsoever, in his next waking moment he would be with the returning Messiah, Jesus, joining Him along with the other saints at the time of the resurrection.

Paul wrote of this resurrection at Christ's return to the church in Thessalonica: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Paul knew that it would be only at a time yet in the future when he would be resurrected to be with Christ. He knew that at that time he and God's other faithful servants would receive the gift of eternal life in the Kingdom.

Later, when he knew he was indeed condemned to be executed (2 Timothy 4:6-7), he wrote of this coming time. "From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (verse 8, New Revised Standard Version). Paul knew his reward would come "on that day"—the day of "His appearing"—rather than at the moment of his death.

The interval from Paul's last thought as a human being to the time of his seeing Christ in the resurrection will seem instantaneous, since the Bible shows that the dead know nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5). This is why Paul wrote as he did in his letter to the Philippians.