Problems With Parousia

‌Sadly, too many people in the churches, find themselves fascinated with in times theology. So much so, that they neglect their own personal growth, and the need to reach out. The whole purpose of studying in times theology is to motivate us to live our lives for the glory of God today and impact as many people for Christ, as we possibly can.

Another area, which Paul addresses, focuses on an area of the believer’s life which takes place after this journey on earth. Apparently, the Thessalonian believers were somewhat concerned about their brothers and sisters in Christ who had already died before the Lord gathered up His church. The believers who were still alive that those who had died might not have the same privileges that they would have who were still alive.

Today, we’ll be looking at the main New Testament passage on the rapture of the church. Rather than have Problems with Parousia, we should instead have Praise Because of Parousia.

Concerns about the Parousia—4.13

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NASB95)

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.

Last time, we remember that Paul spent some time dealing with knowing God’s will, in particular, to sexual behavior and how to deal with our bodies in other areas. But Paul was not one to just deal with the issues of the day. He was willing to tackle other concerns that caused confusion among other believers. In particular, he was about to deal with a subject concerning the end times.

He begins by introducing the new topic and sharing his concern with these brothers and sisters in Christ that he does not want [them] to be uninformed. What is it that Paul wishes to help these Christians?

Paul uses an interesting phrase concerning what these believers were somewhat upset about; those who are asleep. Actually, this was a very common term used quite extensively to describe those who had died. When you consider some of the terms that we use, this actually makes sense. For example, we call burial plots cemeteries. Interestingly, this word has a meaning of a resting place or a place of sleep. Over the years, the Latin root of this word somehow crept into usage referring to dormitories, where students would supposedly be lying down and sleeping.

This is not speaking of soul sleep. Multiple places in the Bible speak of being conscious after our physical death. Paul speaks of being at home with the Lord in 2 Corinthians 5.8. Even Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross, encouraging him that today you shall be with Me in Paradise. We also know that Moses and Elijah were with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration.

The concern, or the griev[ing] was caused by a lack of knowledge about the subject. The cure for that would obviously be to educate the Thessalonians about this event. As we’ll see with the next phrase, He’s not discouraging all grieving. For we know that Jesus expressed grief over Lazarus’ death. We’re also told to weep with those who weep. That is perfectly normal and to be expected.

It is also helpful to understand the phrase the rest who have no hope. Paul is referring to unbelievers, or non-Christians, who are deprived of any hope or comfort regarding death and what takes place afterwards, or the afterlife.

Paul goes on to enlighten his readers concerning the parousia.

Contents of the Parousia—4.14-17

1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 (NASB95)

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 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. 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. 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.

Paul begins in verse 14 to giving them assurance concerning those who had died who were believers. He starts out by reminding them that not only had Jesus died, but He had rose from the dead. This is not speaking of a possibility, but rather a logical reality. Thus, He was truly alive. We can read about this from 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . .”

Verse 15 in 1 Thessalonians 4 gives further evidence. What Paul was sharing in 1 Corinthians, which is the basis for what he tells the Thessalonians, is that this is not just wishful thinking; it is not just some theory; it is not his own teaching to try to manipulate others; it is . . . according to the Scriptures . . . This is God’s own Word.

The continuing reasoning is that God will raise up the believers and experience, what Jesus experienced; resurrection. This includes all those who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ. This means the dead and the living. Thus, those who are still alive when Christ returns, will have no advantage over those who had died before His return.

Verses 16-17 provides some very specific details about Christ’s return. First of all, we see that this will happen in a very personal manner. We know that The Lord Himself, is coming to gather His church. We also know that Jesus is going to descend from heaven, as we’re told in Acts 1. Then Paul uses the word for shout which is very authoritative; it is as the sound of one giving orders. There is actually three different sounds mentioned in this verse; shout, voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. My friends, what an amazing event this is going to be! There will be nothing secretive about this; it will be far from silent.

By the way, the trumpet is not the same as the last trumpet we read about in Revelation 11.15. This section in 1 Thessalonians is referring to the church. The trumpet in Revelation is in reference to a wicked world.

That leads us to further understand who is involved in this event. The dead in Christ obviously is referring to believers who are already physically dead. Paul goes on to say that they will rise first. In other words, those who’ve already died physically will be raptured before those who are still living. Their glorified bodies will join together with their glorified spirits. Those living will be immediately united with the dead and with Christ. None of those involved include the unsaved.

The phrase caught up means a snatching up, swept up, carried off by force. This is a word which shows that it is a strong, irresistible acts. It is at this time, that we will be transformed and receive our glorified bodies, mentioned in Philippians 3.21. Then of course, the phrase in the clouds seems to be the literal surroundings. It is very much like the same phrase when the disciples were told about Jesus coming back will be in the same manner, in Acts 1.9. Of course, the results of all this happening is that we shall always be with the Lord.

So far, Paul has shared his concern about the Thessalonians’ fears about the parousia. Then he went on to give the contents or the details of the Parousia. What’s next? What value does all of this hold, not only for the Thessalonians, but for us as well?

Comfort from the Parousia—4.18

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NASB95)

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Everyone can find comfort and encouragement, not only from the previous information which Paul shared, but also from these simple words. We know that our hope is in the risen Lord Jesus. We know that He is alive and will be forevermore. Because He lives, we know that we shall also live.

Conclusion

You may have noticed that I didn’t spend time going through all of the theological arguments as to when and exactly how this occurs. Nobody knows the exact time or date. Needless to say, nobody has a clue as to exactly how this is going to occur.

But there are a few truths that we can glean from God’s Word. From a variety of places throughout the Bible, which I have shared on various occasions as we come upon them, it seems clear that the rapture of the church takes place before the Tribulation.

Just from 1 Thessalonians 1:10, we get some insight. “ . . . and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” The Thessalonians were waiting for Christ’s return, not the tribulation. In addition, there is now warning for believers in the church age, that there is a soon and coming tribulation, which we have to experience. The Church is warned against error, false prophets, ungodly living, and everyday tribulation. But not the seven-year tribulation, which we read about in Daniel’s seventieth week.

In the section we just finished studying, Paul assured them that those who had died in Christ would share equally with the living in the rapture. If the thought was that the tribulation would occur first, the Thessalonians would have been rejoicing that the dead in Christ would not have to suffer. Plus, Paul would have spent a great deal of time preparing them for the actual tribulation period, which is a time for God’s wrath to be poured out upon the unbelievers. The believer does not have to experience God’s wrath for sin, for it was poured out upon Jesus on the cross. If the believer would have to experience the tribulation, it would seem that what Jesus did on the cross was not enough.

In light of this message, we need to be reminded that we should not be preoccupied with the end times. Rather, we should live each day in light of Christ’s imminent return. We ought to rejoice in this hope of resurrection. So, Rather than have Problems with Parousia, we should instead have Praise Because of Parousia.