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Jan 25, 2011 · In Philippians 1:23-24 he writes 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 his consciousness would ...
Nov 9, 2010 · Some try to contort this scripture to say that Paul expected to go to heaven to "be with Christ" the instant that he died. But it says nothing of going to heaven. Further, interpreting Paul's words this way would conflict with the rest of Scripture, which reveals that Christians do not go to heaven upon death.
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The reason this is an excellent question is because 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17really does sound like what Jonathan has said: believers who have died are raised from the dead, and in that sense, first meet the Lord at his coming, rather than immediately meeting him when they die. It sounds like that, but I’m sure that’s not what Paul means there, and I...
First, look at 2 Corinthians 5:6–8: Those are the two alternatives that Paul sees. I’m either here in my body — in one sense, away from being at home with the Lord — or I die and I’m at home with the Lord. Now here’s verse 9: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” Paul did not conceive of a time when the body dies an...
The other passage is Philippians 1:22–24: “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” Now, those are the two possibilities f...
Now, let’s say a word about 1 Thessalonians 4. You’ve got to put on your thinking cap, because the logic of this text is so important. I think it’s clear, but it’s complicated. It goes like this: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)...
Here’s my conclusion when I put these three passages together. Precede in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 does not refer to the dead preceding the living into the presence of the Lord in heaven, which, of course, they clearly do. Paul’s just not talking about that. Rather, precederefers to preceding with a resurrection body into the glorious experience of the...
Jan 25, 2016 · Developing A Heavenly Mindset (Colossians 3:1-4) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Nov 4, 2024 · The Christian life is lived with our eyes facing forward on Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate priority that makes our lives worth living. Our highest goal is to know Him better, as Paul said: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3 ...
Sep 17, 2024 · The English Standard Version describes the goal we press toward as “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, ESV). When Jesus took hold of us, God called all of us upward toward His heavenly kingdom through an intimate relationship with His Son. The direction we press toward is “up” because that is where ...
People also ask
Why did Paul want to know Jesus Christ?
Did Paul expect to go to heaven after he died?
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What does it mean when Paul says he went to the 3rd Heaven?
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Did Paul believe he would leave his body to join Christ?
Sep 11, 2023 · When Paul says that he went to the third heaven, he means that he went to the place where God dwells. Interestingly, Paul uses the phrase caught up to refer to how he was transported to heaven; it’s the same Greek word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to refer to the rapture of the church. Following his list of “boasts” in 2 Corinthians 11:22 ...
