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 sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

The early Church always had the expectation that Christ was going to return soon, and we as Christians should have the same mentality today, as Jesus said “Nobody knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36) However the Church of Thessalonica started becoming concerned, when their loved ones were passing away, and there was still no resurrection of the dead.

Paul begins his teaching with “I would not have you be ignorant or uniformed, brethren” (v13) This statement indicates Paul is going to explain an already known doctrine into greater detail. Some will say this is a new doctrine that Paul was introducing, I disagree. The return of Christ, the Rapture of the Church, ect, these were all well known by the 1rst Century Church, Paul is now going to explain all this into greater detail because the Church needs to understand God’s plan

“Concerning them who are asleep (dead) that you sorrow not” Paul is telling the Church, when your saved loved ones pass away , you don’t have to mourn their deaths like the rest of the world, because they are going to be resurrected just like Christ. Now sometimes this brings up the argument for “soul sleep”, Paul has said “To be absent from the body, is to be present with The Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8) I don’t think Paul was every teaching or supporting the idea of “soul sleep”, how would it be encouraging if your loved ones didn’t exist until the resurrection?  For me, I don’t believe the idea of “soul sleep” is compatible with the overall theology of The Bible

Paul then says “Even as others, which have no hope” Paul is talking about non-believers, unsaved people. Outside of Christ there is no hope for anyone, this is why the resurrection of Christ is the central doctrine of Christianity. As Paul said “If Christ is not risen then our faith is worthless or useless” (1 Cor. 15:17) All of our hope is in Jesus Christ, and Christ is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23) meaning we who are saved, will all be risen just like Christ into a perfect and immortal body

Then Paul goes on to explain the order of the resurrection, those who are dead and already “sleep in Jesus” will be resurrected first, and then who are still alive at the return of Christ, will be resurrected second. Paul reaffirms this with his teaching to the Church of Corinth “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. (1 Cor. 15:52)

The Apostle Paul is reminding the Church, that we have a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord, who has already defeated sin and death, Amen!