What happens at death?

The spirit leaves the body and returns to God (Eccl 3:21; 12:7). Without the spirit, the body rots and returns to dust rapidly (Gen 2:7; Jas 2:26). Paul said to be absent from his body was to be present with the Lord (II Cor 5:6-8). Jesus told the thief he would be with Him that day in Paradise – their two spirits would be in heaven in the presence of God (Luke 23:43,46).