The Presence of Jesus Makes Heaven Heavenly

People have a hard time understanding why dying would be better than living? To them, Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21 that “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” makes absolutely no sense. “That’s ridiculous,” they say. But it absolutely is not ridiculous, it is Scriptural truth.

Anyone who has watched a loved one die a long, painful death knows that this life is filed with trials and tribulations. For that suffering person, if they are a believer, heaven is infinitely better. And Paul’s life was filled with suffering and persecution.

But Paul’s statement is not only true for the suffering, but even for those on top of the world; even for those at the pinnacle of success and good health. Because heaven is far better than the best this world can offer.

For a believer, the best part of heaven will be Jesus. It will be to dwell in His presence, and to serve Him out of love and gratitude.

Saints who die in the Tribulations will experience that. Revelation 7:15-17 records:

15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

That’s the truth we need to take from this. What God has waiting for us in heaven is far better than anything this earth has to offer. And the moment we die, we are there – with Christ. Amen! And Amen! We will bask in the glory of God and enjoy Him forever. As Psalm 16:11 says: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy.”

Did you notice?
In Revelation 7:15, it said: “He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” That’s the best part of heaven. We will be forever with the Lord. It’s not the streets of gold we long for, but the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is Jesus that makes heaven heavenly.

As it says in 1st John 3:2:

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Or 1st Corinthians 13:12:

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.”

But this also teaches us something else: That concept of “soul sleep” taught by the Jehovah Witnesses or the Advent denominations is totally erroneous, just like the concept of purgatory taught by the Roman Catholic Church. It’s bunk! And if they’d just read the Bible they would see this. To “depart” this life, for a believer, is to “be with Christ.” That’s what is “far better.” It’s not to die and rot in the ground unconsciously waiting for some undetermined day in the future. How could that be better? But to be instantly with the Lord, Yes, that’s better.

Don’t you remember what Jesus said to the thief on the cross? In Luke 23:39-43, we read:

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Jesus couldn’t say that if the man had to stay in some kind of state of suspended animation for thousands of years awaiting a day of resurrection to consciousness as these groups erroneously teach. No, to die is to be instantly in the presence of the Lord – Praise God!

Paul teaches the same thing in 2nd Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” You are either in your body and alive on earth, or you are absent from your body and present with the lord in heaven. There’s nothing in between.

We can give you all kinds of other Scriptural evidence for this from all through the Bible. This is not in doubt, but well revealed truth. There is no delay. For every believer, the moment you leave this body, you are ushered into God’s presence to forever be with the Lord. So Paul admits departing this life and being with Christ is “far better” than living on in the flesh. And that really is what he longs for. That should be what we long for too.

Nonetheless, Paul concludes that, in his heart, he would prefer to die and be with Christ, “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:24). Ah, there is a necessity here. Yes, he says, I guess it’s the best for now that I stay on planet earth. If I can continue to live, that is going to be better for you because I can keep on ministering to you. Not better for me, but for you. So I will pray to remain here.

What a great attitude you have, Paul. He is living out Philippians 2:3-4:

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Paul is willing to postpone heaven, as far superior it is, to stay here on earth if that means he can be of help to these people. And as we’ve said before, that is what he believed God wanted him to do. That was why he was confident that he would be released from his imprisonment. Not that it was his first desire, but he wouldn’t be selfish about this.

So he concludes in Philippians 1:25-26:

25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Is this your desire? Is living for Christ and dying gain?