Greetings Stacy,
Great question.
That people go to heaven immediately upon death is a commonly held belief among Christians, but the reason you couldn't find it in the Bible is because it isn't there.
The Bible says that at death, we go to the grave, or "gravedom" (sheol), which is described as being a state of no knowledge or wisdom:
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
In the New Testament, believers who have died (the "dead in Christ") are described as being "asleep" until Christ's return to Earth - because at that time, they will wake up and be with the Lord. The dead in Christ will be raised from the dead WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS. That's when they (as well as those who are alive at the time) will meet the Lord. They haven't already met him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This scripture reference could not be any more clear. Verse 18 states that these are the words with which we are to comfort one another. How many times have we heard Christians endeavor to comfort people with other words that contradict the words given here. Speaking of so and so who has just died, they say he is in a better place, with the Lord, etc. They depict his status as being able to look down upon the earth and be blessed with all the nice things being said about him at his funeral. God's Word is very clear that the dead in Christ are exactly that. They are dead and will remain dead until Jesus Christ returns and raises them from the dead. There is no consciousness of time or of anything else in death. For the person who has died, the return of Jesus Christ will be for him as though it were the next moment. But he is not already in heaven watching you.
There are a few scripture references that people use to try to prove that the dead are really alive and in heaven, but these arguments are very weak, especially in light of such clear scriptures to the contrary.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Corinthians15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
I hope this answers your question. Thank you for participating.
Bless.
Ken Brown
Asked by: Stacy