The Dead In Christ Will Rise First

Q. Thank you very much for your time and dedication to this site. I love the new lay-out, which has enabled me to easily find answers to questions when I become stumped on something.

I can’t seem to find an answer to this question. In ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:52 ), the verses reference the dead rising first during the rapture. I don’t believe in soul-sleep, so I am confused by the word “dead.” When I try to make sense of it by thinking those verses refer to the dead, but saved in Christ, rising first and the church being caught up second, I’m confused as to why God would want to raise up dead bodies. Do you know what I mean? I don’t think God has an interest in raising our physical bodies, many of whom have been cremated, so what is going to be raised up if the souls are already in Heaven? Thanks so much for your help!

A. When the Bible speaks of a resurrection, it’s always a physical event, involving a physical body.  The Spirits of believers who have died are in Heaven now.  But at the time of the Rapture they’ll get resurrection bodies just like we who are raptured will.  Paul was saying that they’ll be the first to get theirs, and then we’ll get ours.