Ray,
I remember hearing or reading somewhere I am not sure where That to be absent from the body was to be with God. Is this in the bible or did I read it in some study publication?
Thanks in advance if you can cleat this up for me.
Also thank you for the good news approach to bring the word of God to the masses. I have been struggling with my faith for over 30 years, now I am beginng to find my way back slowly but surely.
Norm
Dear Norm:
I get asked that question continually. People think there is a verse in the Bible that says: "To be absent from the body IS to be present with the Lord." There is no such verse. It says, "To be absent from the body AND TO BE [future tense] present with the Lord" (II Cor. 5:08). NO ONE meets the Lord before the "Last Trump" as Paul himself declared in I Cor. 15:52.
God be with you,
Ray