“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
To die is to fall asleep in the body while the soul is elevated to the presence of the Lord. A believer, like our Lord, is not defeated in death but lifted up to the state of glory.
Death for the cause of the Gospel brings glory to the Lord and is great gain. Stephen, while being stoned to death, saw the Lord standing in heaven to welcome him into His glorious kingdom in heaven.
Apostle Paul could look forward to receiving the crown reserved for him in heaven. Once we reach out to witness the Lord before others, all fears are gone, and everything is a great gain only!