To Die Is Gain

"For I am hard-pressed between the two,
having a desire to depart and be with Christ,
which is far better." Phil. 1:23

Paul knew what he was talking about, for he had already seen that which was 'far better'.  The glory of heaven that he had seen was so far beyond his comprehension that he didn't even have the words to explain it.  In this verse, his only description of heaven still fills us with longing and wonder, for he says it is "far better".

To depart describes a ship being loosed from its anchor to set sail.  What a marvelous picture we are given of leaving this world. In these bodies we are anchored to earth, but one glorious day, we will be loosed from these anchors, and be set free to join our Lord!   To die is gain.