The Dead in Christ Shall Rise First

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (or go before) them which are asleep. 1Thes. 4:15
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: 1Thes. 4:16
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. 1Thes. 4:17


"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12.

What does the Bible say is the condition of a person while in the grave?
"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." Ecc. 9:10.

What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea 13:14.

Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so In Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:21, 22. (John 5: 26-29).

What would be the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Cor. 15:16-18.

Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to life?
"Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John 5:28, 29.

How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?
"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts. 24:15.

How long do the others wait after the first resurrection?
"And they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection." Rev. 20:4, 5.

When are the righteous recompensed?
"For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14.

In what condition did David expect to rise?
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." Ps. 17:15.

What great contrast will be seen between the present body, and the one to be put on at the resurrection?
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown in a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:42-44.

After whose body will the resurrected ones be fashioned?
"We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body." Phil. 3:20, 21.

What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave?
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. 26:19 (1 Cor. 15:55).

How long will they be permitted to live?
"Neither can they die any more; for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36.

What will become of those who are unworthy of a part in the first resurrection?
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.

What will then take place?
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26.

How will the righteous ever afterward appear?
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. 13:43.