Now we get to the heart of the matter. Here is one person who on one hand quotes from 1 Thessalonians and on other other hand BLATANTLY DENIES the Resurrection/Rapture.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18: THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE
1. THIS IS DOCTRINE IS FOR BELIEVERS WHO NEED SOLID HOPE
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [Note: "asleep" means those who died in Christ and will be raised again. They are not sleeping in the ground, but dead bodies give the appearance of sleep when they are buried], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
2. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WILL BRING WITH HIM FROM HEAVEN THE SOULS AND SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO DIED AND ARE NOW IN HEAVEN
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. [Note: God the Father is as much involved as God the Son. While the Holy Spirit is not mentioned, that is implied]
3. PAUL IS BRINGING THIS MESSAGE DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST, THEREFORE ALL CHRISTIANS MUST BELIEVE IT
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,...
4. THERE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE A RAPTURE OF THE LIVING SAINTS
...that we which are alive [Note: the living saints] and remain unto the coming of the Lord [Note: this is NOT the Second Coming of Christ, but His coming FOR His saints] shall not prevent them which are asleep. [Note: the Resurrection must precede the Rapture momentarily. "prevent" = precede]
5. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven... [Note: Christ is presently seated in Heaven at the right hand of the Father]
6. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL WILL SHOUT OUT THE SUMMONS FOR THE SAINTS
...with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,... [Note: only Michael is called the archangel in the Bible]
7. THE TRUMP OF GOD IS ALSO CALLED "THE LAST TRUMP" BUT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LAST TRUMPET JUDGMENT
...and with the trump of God:...
8. THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE FIRST, WITH IMMORTAL GLORIFIED *SPIRITUAL*BODIES (SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 15 FOR DETAILS)
..and the dead in Christ shall rise first:...[Note: this is the main *harvest* of the First Resurrection, the resurrection of the just]
9. HERE IS THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE INDISPUTABLY PRESENTED
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them... [Note: the Greek word here is harpagesometha, derived from harpazo, translated as "rapiemur" in Latin, hence "rapture" in English]
10. THE RESURRECTION/RAPTURE IS A SUPERNATURAL EVENT WHICH TAKES ALL THE SAINTS TO HEAVEN BEFORE THE TRIBULATION
...in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord... [Note: the Lord remains "in the air" (the earth's atmosphere) and does not descend all the way to the earth as in the Second Coming]
11. THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE IS MEANT TO COMFORT THE SAINTS
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.