Where are Christians who have died before the resurrection?
Christians who have died before the resurrection are in paradise, in glory, and in the Lord's presence in soul and spirit. They are not there bodily. They are waiting for the resurrection day, when they will receive a resurrected body.
Les explains that Paul did not want believers ignorant about those who have died, or fallen asleep in Jesus. The qualification for being in this number of the saints is believing the Gospel—that Jesus died for sins, was buried, and rose again. For believers who have died, God will bring them with Him; they are in paradise in the presence of God in soul and spirit, not bodily. Les notes that they are not yet walking streets of gold or enjoying a resurrection body, because that cannot happen until the resurrection day, which has not yet occurred. They are in glory, paradise, and the Lord's presence, waiting for that day.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.