THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST
What is the most important thing about the rapture? The dead in Christ have been waiting and resting in the ground, seas, jungles, deserts, mountains, rivers, tombs and forests…all over the world for thousands of years. They are waiting, waiting to hear the trumpet blast to sound and hear Jesus say, “Come up here into the glory of my opened arms to bring you home.” This is the most important thing, that the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive will join them in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[b]
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.