For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
even so them also which sleep in Jesus: The promise of resurrection to blessedness is not universal in its scope, being extended only to those "which sleep in Jesus." The prospect of sleeping in (literally, through) Jesus takes all the terror out of death for death has been transformed into sleep. The resurrection of Christ is recorded as historical fact. The resurrection of the saints at His coming is recorded as a promise. Both are recorded in the same book, His resurrection being the guarantee of theirs.