Clarity about the Future

Introduction

Paul has begun addressing matters where the Thessalonians require additional instruction.

On the matter of love, they did not need additional instruction just like they will not require additional information on the “Day of the Lord.”

Paul is especially concerned with matters that might produce discouragement among the Thessalonians, so he wants to make sure they have the information they need to live with the clearest perspective.

The relationship of the dead to the second coming of Christ concerned them.

Note the physical reality of the future.

We do not anticipate an idealized future, we anticipate a real one.

It is not clouds, crowns, wings, or being angels.

The Bible prepares us for questions about the second coming of Jesus, especially as those questions relate to our own discouragement or raise questions that might cause us to “faint.”

We need to be cautious in our approach to ascertain the concerns here.

Paul’s Pastoral Concern

Paul does not want the Thessalonians to continue under a misunderstanding of the truth.

He has already addressed matters of concern, and now, we will see another one.

We can see on the front end, Paul expresses concern about inordinate grief that mirrors worldliness, and on the back end, he calls upon them to encourage one another with these words.

He depends upon the “Word of God” to instruct them in this matter.

We know that ancient societies tended to privilege this life over the next one where people would enjoy a mere shadowy existence and never be in the fullness of their vigor again.

We also know that this was an occasion of intense mourning and grief for them.

It was something beyond sorrow.

The indication of mature believer can be found in the way they handle death.

Paul offers an explanation of his initial concern in 1 Thess. 4:14.

A Misunderstood Reality

From the main body of this section, we learn from Paul in what ways the Thessalonians misunderstood the resurrection.

1 Thess. 4:13 establishes that the ones who sleep are the focal point of misunderstanding.

Paul clarifies that Jesus’ own death and resurrection establishes the foundation for our belief that God will bring with Christ those who have died.

This is accomplished through Christ himself.

Jesus’ own death and resurrection are the foundations for why we believe we will be raised from the dead.

1 Cor. 15:20; 35-49.

Those who have died, therefore, will not miss out on anything.

This material universe is not all there is.

This is not the ultimate life.

An Orderly Assurance

Paul explains to the Thessalonians that those who have died will not be left out of the resurrection.

“Prevent” here means to precede, but Paul does not seem to use it in a way that refers to time.

Instead, he seems to mean something like “take priority over.”

He will, in fact, reverse this concern.

He then sets out the order of events:

The Lord will descend from heaven.

The dead in Christ will be raised first.

Then those who are living will be snatched/grabbed together with them for a meeting of the Lord in the air.

We will be with the Lord.

This is the foundation/basis for being encouraged instead of discouraged.