TO DEPART TO BE WITH CHRIST
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Let us very carefully and prayerfully read Paul’s testimony in Philippians 1:21 and 23 and 24: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
In the New Testament Scriptures ten different Greek words have been translated “depart.” Several different prefixes are used with the verb “chomai” - “aperchomai” - “exerchomai” -”dierchomai” - “katerchomai.” This last word, translated “depart” in Acts 13:4, means “to go down.”
Paul did not say in Philippians “to go down and be with the Lord is much more better.” When Stephen departed he went up (Acts 7:58 to 60). Paul’s earthly tabernacle may have gone down, if it was not buried above the ground. Paul used the Greek word “anago.” That same Greek word is used in Acts 20:3 and Acts 20:16 and Acts 28:11. In the first two verses it is translated “sail” and in Acts 28:11, “we departed (in a ship).” The word has the thought of sailing away” or “setting out to sea.”
Why did Paul say that for him to die would be gain? In Philippians 1:25 Paul wrote that he knew that he was not going to depart to be with Christ at that time; but was going to remain in the flesh until he saw the Philippian saints again. Later on Paul wrote “the time of my departure (analusis) is at hand.” (II Timothy 4:6). The time of my “breaking up” is at hand.
But in Philippians 3:20 and 21 Paul wrote that he was looking for Christ out of heaven to change his body of humiliation. Paul earnestly desired to be clothed upon with his house from heaven (II Corinthians 5:2).
So many Christians have been confused and perplexed trying to reconcile Paul’s statement in II Corinthians 5:8, that he was willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present (at home) with the Lord, with the statement that he did not want to be unclothed by physical death, but clothed upon by the coming of Christ, (II Corinthians 5:4).
Some, who have taught the unconscious state of the believer between death and resurrection, have tried to use this seeming contradiction of thought to prove that Paul will not be present with the Lord until the time of the resurrection of the body.
But surely there is no hint in Paul’s Epistles to support the theory of the unconscious state of either believer or unbeliever between death and resurrection. There are some who interpret II Timothy 2:18 to prove that those who teach the believer’s soul goes at death to be with Christ in heaven teaches the faith-destroying doctrine, that the resurrection has taken place.
Stephen saw the Lord Jesus in heaven. When Stephen left his earthly tabernacle he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:58 to 60). Stephen departed to be with Christ. He was absent from the body, present with the Lord.
Some support their ‘unconscious state’ theory with the statement that man is a living soul (Genesis 2:7), and therefore when the man dies that is the end of the soul, that the salvation of the soul in I Peter 1:9 means the salvation of the believer at the resurrection.
But Peter did not agree with them. If Peter was a living soul, Peter said, “this living soul must put off this earthly tabernacle,” (II Peter 1:14). The living soul put off the corruptible body. But Peter or Peter’s soul within that body did not die or cease to be conscious.
We might mention the words of Christ to the thief “I say unto thee today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
The statement of David, concerning his baby that died is interesting: “But now he is dead. Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:23). David soon thereafter went to be with that child, and he was not talking about the grave. Beware of any and every “soul sleeping” or “soul destruction “ theory!
Paul said, “it is much more better to set out to sea to be with Christ.”
What is the Gospel?
Believing Christ died, that’s
HISTORY.
Believing Christ died for YOUR sins
and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
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Bible: King James Version
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com
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