It’s a scripture many have heard but it helps put to rest the idea that we go into a place unconscious sleep upon death until the rapture or some set time.
2 Corinthians 5:8 – 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (NKJV)
Paul says it here in 2 Corinthians and then also has this to say in 1 Thessalonians 5:10.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 – 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (NIV)
Regardless of rather we sleep, which is another term for this body dying on earth, we live together with Him.
What does Jesus say on the subject?
Luke 23:39-43 – 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Here’s a thief on a cross and he recognized Jesus as the person He said He was. He acknowledged Jesus as Lord.
Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
You can bet that the greatest place you can come up with on earth will fall a thousand times short of paradise with the Lord.