What happened to believers after they were buried with Christ?
Believers did not remain in the tomb; they were resurrected out and given new life, just as Christ was. This occurred in the mind of God, and the life given is eternal life—they will live forever in His presence.
Les explains that when Christ died, the believer died; when He was buried, the believer was buried, in the mind of God. But the believer did not stay in the tomb any more than Christ did. Les says they were resurrected out and given new life. Later, in chapter 8, this life is called eternal life: believers will live forever in His presence. He contrasts that eternity with even a long earthly life, noting it is billions upon billions of years and is coming, and Scripture prepares us for it.