II Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Of all the pleasant things that can pass through our minds, there is none more pleasing than the anticipation of being “present with the Lord”. For, in this present life we are shackled by our carnal nature, plagued by frequent pains and sorrows, hindered by our frailties, and shamed by our numerous sins. Moments of pleasure and joy are like the little morning flowers that soon wilt and fall away in the heat of the day. When our moment comes, we are immediately unburdened of these things which rob us of true peace and joy. Solomon describes it this way, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). After Rachel had given birth to Benjamin she died and her death is described this way: “it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died)” (Genesis 35:18); that is, “her soul” departed her body to be with the Lord. In an instant we are lovingly taken to that Place our Lord called “paradise” (Luke 23:43). Paul described it as “having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23); that is, “far better” than anything in this present world. When the “soul”, “spirit” departs, with it is our person, our being, and our identity. When Heaven was opened for John to see; he exclaimed, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10); this is a scene of perfect joy, innocence, and peace in the immediate presence of “the Lamb”, the Son of God, God Himself! There, in perfect union with our Lord, is a state of ecstasy, infinitely greater than anything we could possibly imagine in this present life; and we remain in that happy state until the Resurrection (I Corinthians 15). This only is my Comfort; for, yesterday (October 9, 2022) our Lord took my brother and my friend, Elder Dawson Stanaland, to be with Him in “paradise”!