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James Kraft
Supporter
First Corinthians 15:51-53. Paul said, I show you a mystery. Paul was given things by God when he was taken to the third heaven that had not been revealed before, the mystery. All believers who have died are in heaven. But their physical bodies are in the grave. It is only our soul/spirit that is saved. Romans 6:23 For the penalty of sin is death, and we all sin, and we all die, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. At the resurrection, the dead in Christ who are in heaven will receive new physical bodies raised from the grave. They will be raised first, and then we who are alive shall be changed, transformed to our new bodies and both the dead and those alive shall go to meet the Lord in the clouds. First Thessalonians 4:13-18. First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that BEIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know ye have eternal life. All believers have eternal life. Jesus paid our sin debt in full so we can never be condemned again. John 3:18. Ephesians 1:13-14 Our guarantee of eternal life. So that is the mystery that was not known until Paul revealed it. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and we who are alive at the resurrection shall be changed from corruptible to incorruptible. Just as Jesus was transformed when we went back to heaven. He was the first fruits of many brethren. Since Jesus was resurrected we have the same hope in us. Romans 8:29. For them He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the first born of many brethren.
Shirley H
Supporter
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it is said that the Lord himself will come down from heaven. Those who have died 'in Christ' will be the first to rise. Paul knew because Jesus Himself said so. People alive at the coming of Jesus will not have an advantage over the saints who have fallen asleep. Matthew 25:32: "All nations will be assembled before Him and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats." Every human being from all of history will be present. The resurrection will be for everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10: "God destined us not for His retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we should still live united to Him." He is our sure Hope. May we encourage each other with this truth.
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