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:) 8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In the Old Testament, heaven was not open as the Lord had not made atonement for sin. The souls of the OT saints went to Abraham’s bosom and waited for the day of atonement. At Christ’s resurrection he took the souls of the OT saints to be with him.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
At the time of our Lord’s resurrection the souls of the Old Testament saints in Abrahams bosom were moved to heaven to be with the Lord. Many were bodily resurrected as a witness to the Lord’s resurrection.
Matthew 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now that the atonement for sin has been made those that have trusted in the Lord for salvation are able to go immediately to be with the Lord at death and do not have to wait.
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Now, whether dead or alive in Christ, we are waiting upon the day of redemption, that is the day our bodies are redeemed,
Romans 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
This takes place at the Lord’s return; the Lord shall bring the souls of them that are with him and the resurrection of the bodies of the saved will take place.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
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