I have been on this thread from the beginning and respectfully, have some comments on this:
I take this as written here: The dead in Christ will rise first, there is nothing here about the dead not in Christ.
I am not sure why there would be confusion here

?
Yes, they have been with the lord, spiritually! What is being addressed here is resurrection of the body. At this time of gathering his church, those who are spiritually in or with Jesus Christ, will miraculously have their bodies raised to join there spirits where God will converted both body and spirit and transform them into the complete resurrected body as Jesus had demonstrated and God has promised.
That is another subject, but for sure the dead non-believers will not be raised incorruptible and will not be with the Lord (body and/or spirit) in heaven!
As opposed to some others here at T.J, I respect both of you DHC and Travis, but I am just saying...where am I wrong so far?
Hello RJ.
How did I miss this post of yours, still trying to come to grips with the new forum, sorry mate.
I likewise do respect your comments also RJ.
The verse in question.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and
with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
I take this as written here: The dead in Christ will rise first, there is nothing here about the
dead not in Christ
Correct RJ, Paul letter is not addressed to the unbelievers, so no mention of unbelievers rising here.
No need for Paul to discuss the unbelievers rising with the Thessalonians.
Yes, they have been with the lord, spiritually! What is being addressed here is resurrection of the
body. At this time of gathering his church, those who are spiritually in or with Jesus Christ, will miraculously
have their bodies raised to join there spirits where God will converted both body and spirit and transform
them into the complete resurrected body as Jesus had demonstrated and God has promised
You need the scripture to support the ideology of a resurrected body only, regarding the resurrection
of the living and the dead. Also the scripture that states that we are spiritually resurrected before
Christ's return.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with
the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
The verse says 'the dead in Christ', it does not mention a resurrection of a body?
Just to put a nail into the coffin of the idea of only a resurrected body at the resurrection event.
1 Corinthians 15:52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead
will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
The dead believers are raised at the last trumpet. The dead believer and not the body only, will be
transformed into the imperishable.
Again I apologize RJ, in future if i do not reply, just message me in future.