It does NOT say that at all.
It merely speaks of Paul's PREFERENCE.
It does not say that at all...
It speaks of Paul's willingness, not preference...A willingness for something that he is confident will happen, and that is to be present with the Lord when absent from the body...
Well, let’s look at another verse.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.” (Phil. 1:20-26)
Does that make it clearer? You don’t think the reference there to “depart and be with Christ” doesn’t indicate that at least he believed that if he departed this body that he would be with Christ?