19.How did Paul view physical death?

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As gain. To every cross-carrying disciple physical death is gain. It is only the unsaved individual or the fleshly Christian that clings to life in the world. The true saint endures with patience the tribulations that come upon him in the world, so he may attain to a better resurrection. He looks forward to physical death as his release from the pain of the present life and as promotion into joy and glory that he can behold only dimly at the present time.

As we have stated, Paul had been moved from his own rented quarters (Acts 28:30) to closer custody in the barracks of the Praetorian Bodyguard that was attached to the palace of Nero. This was not a pleasant environment for the Apostle. All he saw and heard throughout the day was the crude behaviour of the Roman soldiers. Also, Paul’s life was in constant danger because of increasing wickedness and intrigue in Nero’s court.

At one time in his life Paul had been caught up to the third Heaven, up into Paradise. But now he was living in the midst of military men. No doubt there was much profanity, much filthy behaviour taking place. To a man of prayer and holiness such surroundings indeed would be a cross to bear, especially for someone raised as an orthodox Jew.

We can be sure Paul had a longing to leave the harsh, ungodly Praetorian barracks and pass over into the Presence of Jesus, the saints of all ages who had gone on before, Paul’s own deceased relatives and friends, and the elect angels. The spirit realm is a place of delight and joy according to the saints who have had visions of Heaven.

The marvel of Christianity is that we believers do not have a greater longing to go to be at home with Jesus. It is true for each diligent disciple that to die is gain. In some cases the Lord Jesus must make our circumstances very painful before we begin to desire to be absent from the body and at home with Jesus.