“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18

God has never told us to not weep over the loss of a loved one. However, we are not to weep as people of the world do. We are to weep with the hope, and understanding, that this is not the end for the one who has passed away.

Immediately after a child of God takes his last breath on earth and dies, his spirit is immediately in the presence of Jesus. In this “intermediate state,” he is aware of where he is and is filled with eternal joy. The spirit is not in the grave or in limbo. The spirit of man goes directly to God in heaven.

And not only this, we have an even greater hope. The body will also experience that same eternal joy. When Christ comes the second time, He will redeem His purchased bride and the bodies of the saints will be changed into the image of Christ. In this glorified body, we each will experience eternal joy!