I Thessalonians 4:15-16

"For this I say to you, by divine inspiration, we who are alive having survived until the Lord's arrival will absolutely not be ahead of those who go to sleep." (I Thessalonians 4:15)

Paul uses the phrase "in word of Lord" to indicate that he was speaking by inspiration. He was not quoting something that Jesus had said, but writing under the authority of Jesus. Paul describes those who are still alive at the return of Jesus as those who remain or survive. This could be taken to imply that not many Christians will remain at this time. Paul uses a double negative for emphasis. Those who are alive will not have an advantage when the rapture occurs.

"Because the Lord himself, with a loud cry, with the voice of a chief angel and with a trumpet of God, will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first." (I Thessalonians 4:16)

The Lord's appearance will be a great event. It will be announced by a cry, by an archangel and by a trumpet. The only angel called an archangel in the Bible is Michael. A common view is that there were three archangels: Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel. Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected when Jesus returns. Their soul and spirit will be united with their new bodies.