Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesGlen
Good stuff guys 
What about the absent from the body is to be present w the Lord argument? |
In the nearby context of
2 Cor. 4:13-14 we find when we will be present with the Lord.
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Paul knew Jesus would
raise him up with the saints.
In
2 Cor 5:8 Paul simply says we are
willing to be absent from our present bodies and to be with the Lord. He does not say it happens at that instant. It's a general statement.
Jesus tells us
WHEN his people will be with him.
John 14:1-3
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Verse 3 Jesus is saying when he comes again he will receive us to himself.
The context before
2 Cor. 5:8 is about the resurrection. The verse following verses 9-10 speaks of being accepted by Jesus at the last day.
9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For we must all appear before
the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
So Paul was not laboring to be accepted
WHEN HE DIED......but rather at
THE JUDGMENT SEAT.
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