What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?
The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is in this life,1 immediately after death,2 and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.3
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 2 Cor. 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
2 Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
3 1 Thess. 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
XXXII.1 The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die …
The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies: and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
→ XXXII.1 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXII.2 At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the …
At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
→ XXXII.2 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXII.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of …
The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
→ XXXII.3 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.37 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
→ Open Q.37