Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death,c so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God,
OK. THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP ARE COMING WITH HIM SO THEY HAVE ALREADY RISEN, HAVEN'T THEY? THOSE WERE THE COMFORTING WORDS THAT MAKE US DIFFERENT THAN THE HEATHEN, RIGHT? WE DON'T DIE LIKE THE HEATHEN WE CONTINUE ON LIVING BECAUSE WE HAVE RECEIVED THE GIFT OF SALVATION. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST RENDERS US WITHOUT SIN. NO SIN NO GRAVE CAN HOLD US, SO WE RISE. AND WITH WHAT BODY DO WE RISE? WE HAVE TWO. WE ARE RAISED IN GLORY.
SO WHO ARE THESE 'DEAD'?
and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
My Dad died 10 years ago, and HE APPEARED TO HIM.
My husband died 4 years ago and HE APPEARED TO HIM.
He has 'appeared' the second time UNTO EACH OF THEM.
NOWHERE does it say THAT IT IS TO BE AT THE SAME TIME, ON A LAST DAY
1 John ch2-ch3 , 1 Cor ch15 , Rev ch20
HERE? NO 'LAST DAY' NO GROUP EVENT, not even talking about the 'last day' in any respect.
John 2:25 And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, WHEN He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29 If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
HERE? AGAIN, NO TIME. NOT EVEN SPEAKING OF THE LAST DAY OR HIS RETURN
John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS WE ARE RAISED UP IN A GLORIFIED BODY, IF INDEED WE BELIEVE WHAT IS WRITTEN
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.