Our Gathering to Him

Paul penned this teaching in 1 Thes. 4 in order to clarify for the church the specific events that will take place at Christ's return. His return will be visible, physical, noisy, and literal. Both those who have died previously in Christ and believers then alive will have their spirit/souls reunited with their bodies reconstituted by the almighty power of God and will be like Christ's own resurrection body. The perishable flesh will put on the imperishable, and the mortal body put on the immortal. Thus there is great comfort knowing that all who are or who have been in Christ will be with the Lord Jesus forever. This is the immeasurably great hope of the Church.