keep it simple -
will you be clothed or unclothed?
But you are not keeping it simple as if there are no different applications to that phrase used in scripture when you posted this next.
all the copy and paste does not address 'clothed or unclothed'.
this is yet another exhibition of II Peter 3:16, written of Paul -
"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction". - death = Being Unclothed.
You apply 2 Corinthians 5:4 as if physical death does not apply to you but to everybody else as if physical death of all believers, including His remaining disciples in the past until now were somehow judged negatively for having since died.
At least that is how you come across to me when judging myself and other believers as if by that verse with your challenge of will we be clothed or unclothed. You keep referring to physical death as if that cannot happen to you.
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:
not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon,
that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Paul is not referring to physical death here but the redemption of our bodies as the end of that verse testify, by clarifying that he is referring the physical body which is that tabernacle we groan by presently, as that physical body that will be swallowed up of life which is eluding to the first fruits of the resurrection that can die no more.
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
You apply physical death as if believers become unclothed at the time of death but Paul was
not referring to physical death as if being unclothed upon when we die as clarifying he is talking about the redemption of our bodies.
Now addressing the topic of being "unclothed at the time of physical death" which Paul was not talking about, death to believers do not remain unclothed at the time of death once freed of that physical body, not even believers that get denied by Him & left behind to die after the rapture event as if they remain naked when their spirits go to Heaven.
Revelation 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Believers that missed out on the first fruits of the resurrection, left behind to die in the coming fire on a third of the earth and consequently, from the war waged on them by the beast with a sword & hunger since the saints cannot buy & sell by the mark of the beast, their spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven clothed upon to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation,
BUT look how they are clothed upon differently when they are resurrected after the great tribulation.
Revelation 20:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
What does that mean on such the second death has no power? As it defers that they can never be cast into the lake of fire, the second death, yet inferring the power of the first death is still over them during that thousand year reign of Christ for why they and the generations following them, meaning they will marry and have children, will need to eat from the tree of life for the healing of the nations in that City of God.
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
So those left behind will not be weeping and gnashing their teeth any more over the loss of their first inheritance for why the prodigal son is still son even though he can never get that inheritance back from wild living.
Those resurrected after the great tribulation are not like the firstfruits of the resurrection where they become like the angels that never die nor marry ever again; thus alluding to another type of inheritance for how believes can be clothed upon. Now after the Great White Throne Judgment when death and hades is cast into the lake of fire, and Jesus having completed the kingdom of Heaven, gives it back to the Father, I see those partakers of the resurrection after the great tribulation as dying no more after that.
But as we read on from your initial reference of 2 Corinthians 5:4 and we see when Paul is talking about physical death in being with the Lord in Heaven by our spirits, but we are still clothed upon when we are there with robes, awaiting for resurrection for how we shall be clothed upon; firstfruits or they that be Christ's at His coming after the great tribulation? Like it or not, Christ as the Bridegroom at the rapture event is how and when God judges His House first.
Do note in context that Paul is not denying the Lord is within us per verse 6 because of verse 5, but referring to where the ascended Christ is at now in Heaven as absent from Him in that way whereas when we die, we shall be with Him with our spirits.
2 Corinthians 5:5
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
So the real question is not whether or not we shall be clothed or unclothed at the time of death in being free of this physical body when we die, when we, as spirits, shall be clothed with robes in Heaven. but the real question is HOW we shall be clothed upon when the Bridegroom comes to judge His House first at the re great tribulation rapture event; as firstfruits or as they that be Christ's at His coming?
Yes the naked are the wicked workers of iniquity:
Isaiah 59:6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
-The cloathed are the saints who work righteousness:
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Let us address how one can be naked.
Now referring to the man without wearing his wedding garment, I discern this wedding garment as faith in Jesus Christ that was removed when any works on that foundation denies Him, thus voiding faith & that wedding garment is why such believers will not be partakers of the firstfruits of the resurrection.
Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Believers that have gone astray by the religious flesh by making commitments or promises to Christ in following Him & to do good are resorting to their own power under the law to do that & by that law is the knowledge of sin for why their faith is voided in Christ & His promises to us under the New Covenant. They can ask for forgiveness & be set free from those man made bondages to rest in Him & all His promises to us to be ready for the Bridegroom before He comes.
Otherwise, no flesh shall glory in His Presence by bragging about how any of them have kept their commitments & promises to Christ for why they will be left behind. We either live by faith in Him or we do not.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
That is how we should apply how we are clothed upon now when we live by faith in Jesus Christ wearing our wedding garment as opposed to any works under the law that would void that faith in Christ & that wedding garment.
So there are different applications to how we are being clothed upon in according to our faith in Jesus Christ, but your reference of 2 Corinthians 5:4 is about the redemption of our bodies as opposed to putting off our physical bodies when we die in 2 Corinthians 5:5-8
May God cause the increase by leading you to read all that and understand so you may bear more fruit in the knowledge of Him.
