1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
According to the Word of God, man is destined to live and die, and be judged. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Although this is the destiny of man, Jesus has purchased by His Blood, eternal life to all who believe in Him . John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus reiterated this in several passages - John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
John 5:24 "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
There is great hope for anyone who dies knowing Jesus Christ, so take heart if you are grieving. On the other hand, if you believe and have accepted Jesus and live in fear of death, please shed those fears, and rejoice in the truth that you will live forever - I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.
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