1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. This statement refers to the catching up into the air of those Christians who are living when Jesus returns. This is commonly called The Rapture. The reason this statement comes up is because Paul feels it is necessary to address the concerns about Christians who had previously died. We see this in Paul’s opening statement. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.