Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(A) about those who sleep in death,^(B) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^{(C) 14} For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(D) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(E) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(F) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(G) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(H) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(I) and with the trumpet call of God,^(J) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(K) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(L) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(M) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(N) forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another^(O) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(P) we do not need to write to you,^{(Q) 2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(R) will come like a thief in the night.^{(S) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(T) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(U) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(V)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(W) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(X) 5} You are all children of the light^(Y) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

The Throne in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open^(A) in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet^(B) said, “Come up here,^(C) and I will show you what must take place after this.”^(D)

¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”^(A) And they went up to heaven in a cloud,^(B) while their enemies looked on.