Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/5/2007

Question
I am trying to find the scripture that says....  to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of Christ"  I told someone this from our discussion about someone dying and saying they went to Heaven,  but never saw the Lord face to face.   Thanks,  Shelly

Answer
Hi Shelly,

I will post the scripture that I think you are looking for along with a couple of other scriptures that may help.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Philippians 1:21-23
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


Job 19:23-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!  24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:  27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.    
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In CHrist
Pastor Don