After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
Verse 17. Then we which are alive. Those who shall then be alive. See . The word here rendered then, (επειτα) does not necessarily mean that this would occur immediately. It properly marks succession in time, and means afterwards, next, next in the order of events, .
Observe here, 1. The triumphant ascension both of the living and sleeping saints, together into the clouds; We which are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. This ascension shall be effected by the power of Christ, by the ministry of angels, and by the spirituality of the saints' own bodies.
we which are alive . . . shall be caught up--after having been "changed in a moment" (Co1 15:51-52). Again he says, "we," recommending thus the expression to Christians of all ages, each generation bequeathing to the succeeding one a continually increasing obligation to look for the coming of the Lord. [EDMUNDS]. together with them--all together: the raised dead, and changed living, forming one joint body.