What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?
The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of;1 and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God's love,2 peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;3 as, on the contrary, sense of God's revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.4
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 Eph. 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
2 Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:22
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
3 Rom. 5:1–2; Rom. 14:17
Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
4 Gen. 4:13; Matt. 27:4; Heb. 10:27; Rom. 2:9; Mark 9:44
And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
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