Paul's emphasis here is that we really will not have eternal life until we are raised from the dead through Jesus Christ. Thus we see that the raising of the physical body is what salvation is all about. The promise of eternal life is the restoration of what was lost in the Garden of Eden, that is, immortality.

We have constructed a great mythological scene of what Heaven will be like. But the Bible emphasis is on the redemption of the body and the resumption of life in the form in which God meant man to be: spirit, soul, and body.

But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (I Corinthians 15:23—NIV)

Paul goes on in this chapter to talk about the resurrection of our body. He makes no mention of the catching up, which he certainly would have if it were a major doctrine.

It is the change in us that is salvation, redemption, the rescuing of us from the body of death.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (I Corinthians 15:42-44—NIV)

Raised in imperishableness. Raised in glory. Raised in power. Raised a spiritual body.

Do we really believe such people can be harmed by Antichrist or the great tribulation?

Do we really believe the Lord Jesus Christ, as He came forth in glorified flesh and bones, could be harmed by Antichrist or the great tribulation?

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." (I Corinthians 15:53,54—NIV)

The above must take place before the catching up. The dead will be raised and transformed and the living will be transformed. Then they all will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There is no scriptural basis for their returning to Heaven. Most of them have been in Heaven for hundreds or thousands of years. They would have no desire to return. God has made them kings and they are waiting patiently for their opportunity to govern the earth.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10—NIV)

They are not reigning in Heaven. Their kingdom is in the earth.

We may want to escape to Heaven, but I have the feeling these future kings are anxious to get on with the job in the earth. How do you feel about this?

Again let us emphasize that in the only resurrection chapter of the Bible, the catching up is not mentioned or even implied. This would not be the case if the catching up were a major aspect of the resurrection. We must leave the catching up for what it is, a movement of the saints from one place to another after they have attained the climax of redemption. No more than this.

To be continued.