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It is established by a careful study of such passages as John 5:28–29, 1 Corinthians 15:22–23, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, that all the dead, both good and evil, will be resurrected when Christ returns. After the resurrection, what then will occur?
- The living saints will be changed and made ready for eternity: Paul speaks of this change:
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:51–53).
Notice that this occurs at or immediately after the resurrection. Again, Paul writes:
For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself. (Phi. 3:20–21)
John also speaks of this great transformation:
Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is (1 John 3:2).
Were it not for this marvelous change, we would not be able to dwell in Heaven with God (1 Cor. 15:50). Thus, even were it not plainly stated, simple logic would require that this change occur between the coming of the Lord and our entering into His eternal Kingdom. When Christ comes, the dead are raised and living saints are changed.
- All the saints will be gathered to Him:
…then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them (resurrected saints, v. 16, DM) be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 The. 4:17).
Notice:
- Christ is not on earth, but He appears above it, and the saints rise to join him.
- We join Him not for seven years of a supposed “rapture,” but forever.
[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in the “Bible Thoughts” Column for the Hood County News, Granbury, Texas, May 22, 1977.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
