Monday
05-18-2026
By: Brenda
“Saints” – in Paul’s Letters…
In Paul’s writings, “saints” means- God’s people, the holy ones, the set‑apart ones, living believers on earth and those who are asleep waiting for our Messiah to return.
It has never meant- “souls already in heaven.”
This is consistent in every letter Paul wrote.
Paul repeatedly addresses entire congregations as “saints,” even though they were alive, working, struggling, and growing.
– Saints in Ephesus — Ephesians 1:1
– Saints in Philippi — Philippians 1:1
– Saints in Corinth — 1 Corinthians 1:2
– Saints in Colosse — Colossians 1:2
These were not departed souls.
They were living believers, walking out their faith here on earth.
This alone shows us that “saints” in Paul’s vocabulary meant God’s people, not “people in heaven.”
It describes identity, not location.
“Saints” includes both the living and the resurrected at Christ’s return.
Paul teaches a clear order:
The dead in Christ are asleep.They rise first. The living are caught up second and together they meet the Lord in the clouds.
And from that moment on, they are with Him.
So when Paul says at:
1 Thessalonians 3:13
“at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints”
He is describing the completed scene of the arrival of Jesus, our Messiah and King.
Jesus appears. His people are gathered to Him… And now He is “coming with all His saints” because they have just been united with Him.
This simply describes the moment after the resurrection and gathering.
God’s Word teaches:
That the dead “sleep.”
1 Thess. 4:13
But I do not want you to be ignorant, bretheren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
No one has ascended to heaven except Christ.
John 3:13
No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is the Son of man who is in heaven.
Immortality is given at the resurrection.
1 Cor. 15:51–54
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead in Christ will be raised in corruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on in corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on in corruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written. “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
The reward is given at Jesus’ appearing.
2 Tim. 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
So “saints” does not mean “souls already in heaven.”
In Paul’s writings he uses “saints” to describe the whole family of God united together at Christ’s coming.
This is the same group described in:
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
(resurrection and gathering.)
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
( again the last trumpet.)
2 Thessalonians 1:10
When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony amoung you was believed.
(“He shall come to be glorified in His saints”)
God’s Word remains consistent.
Those who belong to God, He has given to His Son. Set apart for Him, and gathered to Him at His appearing. Are called “saints”
Oh, how God loves us ❤️ that He gave His Only begotten Son that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
One day we will hear the trumpet and be called up together to meet Him in the air and be with Him forever but our calling up will not be before the ones who have fallen asleep in Chirst.
We, live, we breath, and we await that same hope all the ones before us had.
The ones who are asleep are His “saints” and we who are still alive and remain are His “saints.”
Dear Father in heaven,
I come before You with a grateful heart, thanking You for the clarity and Truth of Your Word.
Thank You for showing us what it means to be called saints.
Not by our own goodness, but because You have set us apart, washed us, and made us Your own through Your Son Jesus Christ.
Father, establish our hearts just as Paul prayed.
Make us steady, rooted, unshakable in holiness as we wait for the appearing of our Lord.
Remind us daily that we belong to You.
That we are Your people, Your saints, called to walk in Your light.
Let this study settle deeply in us.
Let it strengthen our hope in the resurrection, our confidence in Your promises, and our longing for the day when all Your saints the living and the resurrected — will be gathered to meet Jesus in the clouds and join Him in Your glory.
Keep us faithful until that day.
Keep us watchful and keep us close.
In Your Son’s precious name,
Amen.
Have a blessed day
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️