THE THREE CATEGORIES OF CHRISTIAN RISERS IN 1THES. 4: 13-17 (part 1)

-Dr David O. Ogaga

A careful study will reveal the fact that there are three categories of Christians mentioned in this passage that will have to experience the resurrection hope being discussed. These are those 'who (I) “SLEEP IN JESUS
(2) “ALIVE AND REMAIN” (3) “DEAD IN CHRIST”. These we hope to examine in the
light of the Spirit of God as revealed in His word.

THOSE WHO SLEPT IN JESUS.

“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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which SLEPT
IN JESUS will God bring with Him” {1 Thes 4:13}. KJV. don’t”- be in any doubt,
about those who fall asleep" IN DEATH; God will just as surely bring with
Jesus all who are “asleep” in “Him”. Phillips Trans. “We want you not to remain
in ignorance, brothers, about those who SLEEP IN DEATH; - THOSE WHO DIED AS
CHRISTIANS; God will bring them to life with Jesus “NEB” -those' who have DIED
IN JESUS, God will bring with Him” those who have fallen asleep (in death)
THROUGH JESUS; God will bring with Him. Interlinear Trans. Now, it is
abundantly clear that when we are talking about those who “SLEEP IN JESUS, we
mean those who lay down their physical bodies but believing Christ. This is
made plain when Jesus taught the disciples this spiritual truth, using the case
of Lazarus death, when He said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen ASLEEP, but I
shall go and wake him” The disciples said, ‘Master, if he has fallen asleep he
will recover’. Jesus, however, had been speaking of his death but they thought
that he meant natural sleep. Then Jesus spoke out plainly: “Lazarus is dead”,
Jn. 11:11–14 NEB. So friends, this is the truth, to sleep in Jesus means to die
physically. Therefore, the word of God says “we shall not all sleep” (die
physically) but we shall be changed. 1Cor. 15:51 KJV. Stephen after praying for
the people “fell asleep”. Acts 7:60. “Asa SLEPT with his fathers and was buried
in the city of David.” 1Kgs. 15:24. Compare 2Chron.9:31, 2Kgs.13:13,
2Chron.12:16 etc.