For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Philippians 1:23

One thing to be carefully observed in Philippians 1:23 is that Paul did not state the time when he would be with Christ. He only stated his expectation to be with the Lord. That can be seen in a preceding verse: Philippians 1:20

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Philippians 1:20

Paul’s earnest expectation is the redemption of the body which in other of his letters is called the earnest of the spirit.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope…even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Romans 8:19-24

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: …Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:2–5

In other verses Paul tells us the time when he expected to be with Christ.

• At the redemption of the body. Rom 8:23
• In the day of the Lord 1Cor 5:5
• At the last trump 1Cor 15:51-55
• When Christ shall appear Col 3:4
• When the Lord descend with a shout 1 Thes 2:1
• At that day 2Tim 4:7,8
• At the coming of the Lord 2Thes 2:1

To depart, Apostle Paul meant to depart this life and be with Christ in the life to come – at the resurrection.