Nothing shouts out victory for the child of God louder than our triumph over death.  For most, death is the most fearful thing in their lives.  For Christians, death is nothing more than a gateway to a better place.  Paul knew this to be true.

Philippians 1:23 (ESV)
²³  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

By departing, Paul was referring to death.  He knew that his situation would immediately change for the better if he died because then he would be with Christ, and to him, that was far better than continuing to live in this life.

I am not sure in what way Paul was with Christ when he died since the Bible teaches that upon death the Christian goes to Hades, also called Paradise (Luke 23:43) and Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22).  However, Jesus may spend a considerable amount of time in that place of comfort with the saints.  It seems that Paul thought so.  We do know that when Jesus comes back, He is bringing the saints who have died with Him.  Paul used this fact to comfort some who were grieving over saints who had died.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Notice that Jesus (called God here) will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep, that is, those who have died in Christ.  Paul indicated this same thing in the previous chapter.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV)
¹³  So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

What does this mean?  I am not sure.  It could simply mean that Christ is going to pick up His saints in Hades on His way back to get living saints at His second coming, or it could imply that in some way saints are with Christ after death.  Again, Paul wanted to depart and be with Christ.

How significant is it that we understand the words of Paul in Philippians 1:23?  Not too much at all.  The truth is, some scholars believe that when Jesus ascended back to heaven, He emptied the part of Hades called Paradise and that now we go directly to heaven, and that is why Paul knew he would be with Christ after he died.  But, again, we do not have to solve this question now.  What we do know is that for those of us in Christ, death has no sting.

We do not have to fear death in any way.  We know that we are going to be raised from the dead by the power of God and live forever in heaven.  Whether we are with Christ immediately after we die, or join Him sometime later, may be a question we cannot at the present time answer, but we do  know that at some point we will be with Him, and we will be with Him for all eternity.

John 14:2-3 (ESV)
²  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.