Comfort concerning those who have died
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 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 them which are asleep.
16 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Paul writes so believers need not sorrow as those without hope. He grounds their expectation in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Those who sleep in Christ are not forgotten, and living believers do not receive an advantage that excludes them.
The word “prevent” in verse 15 carries the older meaning of preceding or going before. Verse 16 immediately explains the order: the dead in Christ rise first. Keep the argument together.
A mystery concerning our change
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
The hope includes a bodily change, not merely a better earthly condition. Paul describes incorruption and immortality. Read the entire resurrection discussion in 1 Corinthians 15 KJB to see how Christ’s resurrection establishes the believer’s future.
Distinguish the hope from prophetic judgments
Mid-Acts teaching places the catching up of the Body of Christ before the prophetic tribulation and distinguishes meeting the Lord in the air from His return to reign upon the earth. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJB and 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 KJB with Daniel 9 KJB, Matthew 24 KJB, and Revelation 19–20 KJB.
The sequence is a doctrinal conclusion drawn by comparing passages. It is not a license to set a date. Scripture should determine the hope and its character; speculative calculations should not govern the believer’s peace or responsibilities.
Assurance rests in Christ
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The believer is sealed unto the day of redemption. Assurance is grounded in God’s promise, not in a day’s emotions or performance. That assurance encourages faithfulness now, even in weakness and suffering. Read Romans 8:31–39 KJB for Paul’s account of God’s love in Christ.
Use the hope as Paul directs: to comfort one another. It should lead to steadiness, gratitude, and service rather than fear, isolation, or neglect of ordinary responsibilities.