HE is bringing the SPIRITS of those in Christ with JESUS from Heaven to the air above the Earth (not to ground). These SPIRITS are given new bodies, so they are bodily being raised first.

I find it HARD to get the above from what is actually written.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 King James Version (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Can we not read that Christ DESCENDS and the dead RISE??
There are no SPIRITS to be found here DESCENDING with Jesus.
When do those in verse 17 get the new bodies??

I feel that many of us Prots are no better than Catholics in some matters.

Many are born into a Christian family and learn the 'bible' from a certain denominational viewpoint. Learning the 'truth' in countless Sunday School lessons and numerous sermons; thus being unable to actually READ the Scriptures for ourselves and discern what is inscribed on those pages we claim are so dear.

I came into the game late; as an adult; and learned from the bible that many things about 'Christianity' that I'd picked up on from the prevailing, midwestern culture I was born into; simply were not to be found within the pages.

THIS is why I post LOTS of Scripture when trying to get a teaching across; hoping it can speak for itself, and thereby not having to 'explain' what the words 'really' mean.

THIS is why I am such a stickler for words, for phrases, for sentences and for entire paragraphs.

Others in these threads are delving even deeper at times; wanting us all to try to understand what the GREEK says, or Hebrew, or ancient customs...

2 Timothy 3:14-17 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

(Sorry Catholics; but TRADITION is NOT mentioned in verse 16.)