Q
I have been pondering about what is written in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, “…And the dead in Christ will rise first”. In your interpretation, does “in Christ” refer to:
A
Most scholars believe Paul’s phrase “dead in Christ” in 1 Thes 4:16 refers to those who accepted the Lord as their Savior during the Church Age. Daniel 12:1-2 tells us that Old Testament saints like Daniel will be resurrected at the end of the Great Tribulation.
In Rev. 6:9 John is referring to martyrs who give their lives for the Lord during the time of the four horsemen of Rev 6:1-8. Those who have died for their faith during the church Age will be resurrected at the same time as the rapture, before the End Times judgments begin.