A Gathered of People (δημος)

Demos (δήμος) means a gathered people, representing an organized group, typically the citizenry of a city or community. It is distinct from a crowd (ὄχλος), which implies a chaotic and unorganized gathering of people. In contrast, ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) refers to an assembly, often with a formal or official connotation, such as a gathering for the purpose of teaching, learning, or fellowship.

When the Jews learned of Paul’s success in preaching the Gospel of the risen Christ, they sought out malignantly evil men to cause an uproar in the city. When they came to where they assumed Paul was residing, after not finding him, they siezed the owner of the house and brought him out to the gathered people (Acts 17:5). Demos (δημος) is not the same concept as an assembly (ἐκκλησία), which describes a group of people brought together for a common reason, such as with the Ephesians gathering because Demetrius and his fellow tradesmen stirred up the city against Paul and the saints in Ephesus over teaching concerning faith in Christ, which was threatening their profits from selling idols (Acts 19:39).  

Peter uses the concept of ‘demos (δήμος)’ in a broader sense, associating it with being a pilgrim—alongside the gathered people (1 Peter 1:1). The letter of 1 Peter is addressed to the elect pilgrims of the Church, who were part of the dispersion of Pontius, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Its encouragement and truths still resonate today for all believers. Through this letter, Peter encourages us to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul as sojourners and pilgrims in this world (1 Peter 2:11).

Using the concept of a gathered people, Paul describes what happens to Christians when they pass away before the Lord returns.

Indeed, we are confident and well pleased rather to be absent (out from the gathered people) out from the body and at home (in the gathered people) facing the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Although not all saints of the Church will face death, for when Christ returns, those who are alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17), we are not to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:13). They are absent (ἐκδημῆσαι) from the body and therefore from the gathered people on earth; however, they are present (ἐκδημοῦντες) with the Lord and will be resurrected along with those who are alive at His call (1 Thessalonians 4:16). These saints are now in the gathered people who are in the presence of the Lord, waiting for the day of our full redemption, just as we wait in anticipation of the meeting while among the gathered people on earth.