Chapter Seventeen/'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded - 'Those Who Are Dead Rise First - Continue

 What a stirring story these verses tell! Those of Jesus' anointed brothers who survived to Jesus' presence, that is, are still alive on earth during his presence, are preceded into heaven by those who have already died. Such ones, dead in union with Christ, rise first. Jesus descends, that is, turns his attention to them and resurrects them to spirit life, giving them a "white robe." Afterward, those who are still alive as humans finish their earthly course, many of them dying violently at the hands of opposers.  They do not, however, sleep in death as their predecessors did. Rather, when they die, they are instantly changed-"in the twinkling of an eye" caught away to the heavens to be with Jesus and fellow members of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-52; compare Revelation 14:13) Thus the resurrection of anointed Christians starts soon after the four horsemen of the Apocalypse begin their ride.

Next time: Chapter Seventeen/'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded - 'Those Who Are Dead Rise First' - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications