The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:52-53)

Paul is insistent that the dead will be raised. He insists it will be a physical raising.

But we will be changed from earthly to heavenly, perishable to imperishable, from weak to powerful, dishonorable to glorious, from natural to spiritual.

Death becomes -rather than an ending - a new beginning. Death is a way of healing.

In Paul death can be understood as a birthing, our earthly lives being a comparatively short period of preparation for a fulfilled life beyond death.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. (Psalm 98: 6)

You may listen to Alastair Miles sing The Trumpet Shall Sound from the Messiah.