Chapter 1, verses 21 to 23 of Philippians are often sited to show that those in heaven are awake and conscious and not asleep.
Very simply and very quickly Paul is saying the same thing he says throughout his ministry. He expects a quick return of Christ. He is looking forward to this return, the resurrection of his body, the meeting of Christ in the air. To depart this present world and enter Christ's Kingdom.
Let's examine several verses throughout the entire book of Philippians.
Phi 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Phi 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul expects an immanent return of Christ. This is “the day of Jesus Christ.”
Phi 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Not “until you die and go to heaven.” Paul expects and looks for the day of Christ.
Phi 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phi 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Phi 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
This seems to say that Paul, when he dies, expects to be with Christ in heaven. However it could also mean he expects to be with Christ at the resurrection of the dead. The point to be observed is that Paul expects to be immediately, after death, in the presence of the Lord. This is the crux of these verses and I will elaborate in the summary at the conclusion of this page.
Phi 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
And he expects to rejoice in the day of Christ, the last day, when the dead are raised.
Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Here Paul is looking specifically to the resurrection, not going to heaven.
LITV
Phi 3:20 For our citizenship is in Heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Phi 3:21 who will transform our body of humiliation, for it to be conformed to His body of glory, according to the working of Him to be able even to subject all things under Himself.
Now compare Phi 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:Can you see the similarity? Depart. Be with Christ. Who will transform our bodies by the resurrection.
Phi 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
A repetitive statement showing Paul is looking for a quick return of Christ.
Is Paul waiting for the return of Christ from where he obtains his citizenship and the resurrection or to be with Christ in heaven? Compare II Tim 4:
2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course [or, race]; I have kept the faith.
2Ti 4:8 Finally, [there] is laid up for me the victor's wreath [or, crown] of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, but not only to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Summary:
Three times in Philippians Paul looks forward to the day of Christ.
Three times he specifically refers to the resurrection.
Three times he expects a quick appearance of our Lord.
Once he writes a verse that can be interpreted that he expects to go to heaven when he dies.
If, when we die, our spirit “rests” in the care of God the very next thing of which we will be aware is the day of the Lord; the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of Christ, the rewarding of the saints. Many times in scripture it says the Lord will come quickly. These verses have given scholars much trouble and you will find various interpretations. May I suggest that the ONLY interpretation that fits all scripture is that the coming of our Lord will be experienced quickly, immediately after we die, at the resurrection. We will not be aware of any time between death and this event. It is an exciting, comforting, and yes, a frightening thought for “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
Now let’s examine just a couple of verses that may indicate to us when Paul expected to be with the Lord.
First, he obviously expected to be with the Lord if Christ returned while Paul was still alive. That did not happen.
Second, upon death Paul expected to be in the immediate presence of the Lord. I must repeat that those of us that support soul sleep believe that this is the next conscience event we will face after death but I realize that begs the question. When did Paul FIRST expect to face Christ, after death in heaven or at the resurrection of the dead?
Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection…made conformable unto His death…(that) I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” This, too, is not conclusive but it points towards Paul expecting to be with Christ, after death, at the resurrection, not in heaven.
Now consider:
2Cor. 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.Paul will rejoice with the Corinthians when the Lord returns and…
2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
… Paul expects to be presented to Jesus at the resurrection, not before.
This scripture is reinforced in 1st John:
1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
When He appears we shall see Him as He is. Not before that in heaven, but when He appears.
And Christ says when He comes again He will receive us and then we will be with Him.
Joh 14:2 In 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.
Joh 14:3 And 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.
And Paul says,
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
And again Paul says,
1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
So when Paul, in Philippians said,
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Is Paul speaking of going to heaven? I think not. I think he is looking for the return of Christ, the resurrection from the dead, the receiving of his crown, being presented to Christ along with the other saints. To those alive he looks for the Rapture of the Church, "...a desire to depart and be with Christ..."
This is his hope. This is his joy, and it should also be ours.