What happens to the resurrected saints when Christ returns?
When Christ returns, the resurrected saints are reunited with their new bodies and with their soul and spirit, which Christ has brought with Him. Then those who are alive and remain are caught up—raptured—and taken out of here in a split second.
Les explains that the sequence is: the resurrected saints are first reunited with their new body, and with their soul and spirit which Christ has brought with Him. Then those who are alive and remain shall be raptured. He points out that 'caught up' in the King James has the same meaning, and that is where the term 'raptured' comes from; if someone dislikes the word, they can simply say 'caught up.' The day is coming when believers will be caught up, out of here in a split second. Les illustrates this with a Denver businessman named Jim, who ran a trucking business moving office furniture. Jim told his rough-and-ruddy young workers during a morning devotional that one of these days they would see old Jim's truck sitting downtown Denver at a stoplight, and he would be out of there. Les says it thrills his heart when someone sees this whole thing so clearly. He affirms that if the Lord comes in our lifetime, suddenly we will be out of here—whether driving down the highway, asleep in bed, it doesn't matter. We will just suddenly be out of here, and then he turns to verse 17.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
More Questions
What does Christ bring with Him when He returns for the rapture?
When Christ returns, He brings with Him the souls and spirits of the resurrected saints, which are reunited with their new bodies.