Biblical Answer

When a Christian dies, they are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, and their potential salvation provided in the Cross becomes actual and experiential. This means that the believer is reunited with God and begins to experience eternal life in the presence of Christ. The death of a Christian is not an end, but a new beginning, and it is a joyful expectation to be in Christ's presence.

However, the death of a Christian friend or relative can be a difficult experience, especially if they had not yet placed their trust in Jesus Christ. In such cases, the believer may feel a sense of loss and grief, but they should also feel a sense of hope and joy that their loved one will one day be reunited with them in heaven. The believer can take comfort in the fact that their loved one will be raised from the dead at the second coming of Christ and will be given a new resurrection body that will never grow old or weak.

The believer's understanding of death is shaped by their understanding of the gospel and the promise of eternal life that is offered through Jesus Christ. When a Christian dies, they are not subject to the second death, which is separation from God, but rather they are given eternal life and a new body that will be glorified at the second coming of Christ. This understanding should give believers a sense of hope and comfort in the face of death, and should encourage them to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to God and that reflects their faith in Jesus Christ.