I think this is a very controversial question in Christian circles. Some will insist our soul and spirit go to sleep and we wait for the coming of Jesus to take his people, where those that are dead will rise first to be caught up in the clouds with him. The time from sleep to being joined with Jesus will be like that of the blink of an eye. In other words, the soul/spirit don't know the concept of time (it will as be like the blink of an eye). Others contend that the moment the flesh dies, the soul and spirit are ushered into the presence of God.
Let's look at a few verses and see what is revealed...
Jesus told the dying thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
The apostle Paul said that to die was to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23), and to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
After their deaths, martyrs are pictured in Heaven, crying out to God to bring justice on Earth (Revelation 6:9-11)
I haven't really heard the argument of Moses and Elijah with Jesus on mount.
And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17"2-9)
Jesus gives a parable. What is not defined is the time between death (buried) and being seated at a heavenly banquet or to the place of the dead.
Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames. (Luke 16:22-24)
2 Cor. implies one moment in the earth suit, the next minute, home with the Lord.
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:8)
Is it implied when Stephen cried out when being stoned that his spirit immediately went into the presence of the Lord? The verse prior, Jesus is described as standing in the place of honor next to the Father.
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:29)
Paul says, For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better (Philippians 1:23)
Let's look at verses that suggest we enter a sleep state and will wait for the return of Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. (1 Thes 4:13-16)
To be clear, either are possible. If a "resting place" is what happens and death of the body to the presence of the Lord is like the time it takes to blink an eye, if my soul/spirit sleep for a thousand years, then I won't care. The bottom line is that I plan to endure to the end and finish my race.
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