Where do believers go when they die?
When believers die, they do not go down into the innermost parts of the earth. Instead, they go immediately up into the presence of the Lord, because that is where paradise is now located. Thus, the believer is present with the Lord at death.
Les explains that believers do not go down into the innermost parts of the earth; they go immediately up into the presence of the Lord, because that is where paradise is now located. He contrasts this with the unbeliever, who still goes immediately to the place of torment. The Old Testament describes the place of torment as enlarged after paradise was removed, so that whole area became totally the place of torment. Therefore, at death the believer is present with the Lord.