The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Hebrews 12:23 (NASB)
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”
Philippians 1:23 (NASB)
“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NASB)
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”
The believer is promised, upon death, to immediately be with Christ in Paradise, (Luke 23:43) and to be bodily raised up by Christ on the last day. (John 6:40) The psalmist trust that he would behold the face of the Lord in righteousness and would be like the Lord when he rose from the dead. (Psalm 17:5)
