There will be a time when those who are in Christ will rise. And that time will mean that all will rise, even those that have passed from this world in death. When Christ comes again, those in this world that have not died will rise to be with Him. Those who have passed from this world will also rise to be with Him as well.
“20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (ESV)
I am a man and at the current time I am still of this world. When Christ comes again I will rise to be with Him as I am in Christ. Yet, there are those from my life that have passed from this world and when Christ comes, they will join me with Him in the fight against the evil one.
Belonging to Christ does not just mean that I will inherit the Kingdom of God as I pass from this world. It means that I have brothers and sisters that are there with me as heirs. Some of those heirs will pass from this world in death and will rise again at the coming of Christ again, and some will rise to be with Him when He comes again. But, the great thing is that we that belong will rise again to be with Him.
Do you belong to Christ? What if you were to go along in this world knowing that you will rise again, regardless if you pass from this world in death, or when He comes again?
Trevor's Thoughts 