For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,
Paul’s use of the word "first" is not intended to convey the idea that the righteous dead will be raised prior to the wicked dead. What he says is that the righteous dead will be raised before anyone rises to meet the Lord in the air. "We who are still alive, and who are left til the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep" (4:15 NIV). It is also consoling to note that nothing in death can diminish or destroy the in Christ relationship established during our lifetime.