Note 16 at 1 Th. 4:18: What comfort does the resurrection bring to those who mourn?

First of all, it takes away the finality of death. For those who believe in the resurrection, death is nothing more than a long separation. No one is truly gone; we are just separated and there will be a reunion.

Secondly, the scriptures reveal that our resurrected bodies will not be subject to the problems we experience here such as sickness, deformities, and pain. Therefore, death can actually be looked at as the doorway to a much better existence. As much as we may dislike the exit from this realm, it does usher us into a much better realm. That's comforting!

Thirdly, to believe in the resurrection, we have to believe in God. God's Word reveals that those who have already died are now in a place of extreme blessing in the presence of God, even though they haven't received their resurrected bodies yet. Therefore, it's comforting to know that those we lost in death who are true believers, are now basking in the actual presence of the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). We don't need to sorrow for them and what they may be missing. We are the ones who are missing out.