to sense the substance of what Paul’s affirmation implies. As Paul develops the point elsewhere,28 resurrection (or rapture, as the case may be) to “be with the Lord forever” includes (a) the acquisition of a transformed resurrection body that is glorious and imperishable, and (b) the enjoyment of a relationship with Christ that is closer, richer, and fuller than the relationship we currently experience—in sum, a state of existence that Paul himself considers to be “better by far” (Phil. 1:23). Our