So, how do you read, what do you understand, is the intended meaning of the words in bold above?13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
To help us along, tell us whether you see them as primarily referring to verses 13 and 14, or to verses 15 to 17.
Please note however, this thread is not about other issues you may view as being related, such as the details of prophecy.
It is about the fact of the second coming and the resurrection that then occurs.