And I do not desirously will for you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are sleeping, in order that you do not grieve just as also the rest, which have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
The term “sleep” is used of those who have passed away (John 11:12–14). Paul does not desire that grace believers be ignorant of this matter, so that they do not sorrow as those who have no hope. Hope is always based on a promise. We have the promise that Christ will return for His Church, and both the living and the dead will be with Him.
The grace believers who die before Christ returns are in a place of peace within the third heaven, in the presence of God, awaiting our full redemption (2 Corinthians 5:8). They have access to Paradise, where the Old Testament saints reside, at the edge of the third heaven (Revelation 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:2–4). Therefore, although we miss them, we have hope that we will be reunited when Christ returns, and thus our grief is not as that of those who have no hope.