(2 Timothy 4:8) There will not be a great number of this bride class.

On the contrary, they are small in number.

Jesus said there would be but a little flock.
(Luke 12:32) Through the Revelator he designates the number as 144,000 .-- Revelation 14:1.
[461]Some of these dear saints, however, have been developed from time to time throughout the gospel age, beginning with the apostles at Pentecost.
These have died and waited for the return of the Lord.

Since the Scriptures show that the dead know not anything until the resurrection, it would be reasonable to expect the Lord to do something for these who had died faithful to their covenant and to expect that he would do something for them early in the time of his presence.

St.Paul says: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.