Ignorance concerning the future blessing of the saints carries with it present, harmful reults.
I. Every Christian who dies will immediately be with God. (1 Thess. 4:14; Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24)
A. Jesus promised that those who die believing in Him would immediately be with Him in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
B. Paul taught that physcial death ushered the believer into God's presence. (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24)
C. Paul's teaching concerning the dead in Christ confirms the departed believer's presence with Christ. (1 Thess. 4:14)
II. Every Christian will go to be with Christ upon His return. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
A. The departed believers are going to receive resurrection bodies.
B. The "living" believers are going to be translated.