A Model Church is Hopeful

Back in I Thessalonians – Model Church – The message is ringing out from them – love and grace and pace – enduring persecution – they are growing in their faith – they are fighting against an immoral culture – good church

But they do have questions – Paul was with them for a while but wasn't able to address every question – he has received a report back from Timothy – a good report – but it appears they have some questions

One of their questions is about death, the afterlife, and the second coming of Jesus

In particular, what has happened to their loved ones who have passed away – they seem especially concerned about their fate since they died before Jesus has come back – it may have been that the early Christians expected Jesus to return sooner rather than later – it’s been more than 20 years and no return – no doubt they were familiar with the story we read in Acts:

Acts 1:10–11 (NIV) — 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Do those who die before the second coming of Christ miss out on something, or do they miss out on everything? Apparently they have received some misinformation. So Paul writes them these reassuring words:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NIV) — 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Let’s take a look at the things Paul affirms:

You’ve been misinformed – again, not sure what that misinformation was but it seems it has something to do with dying before the second coming put you at some disadvantage – no one has ever asked me that – this is not a concern today – but this does bring up the fact that misinformation can lead to anxiety and distress – and although we don’t know everything about the afterlife, it’s important to make sure we are not misinformed – so let’s look at some facts that Paul establishes here about the death of believers

Believers have not vanished – he uses the word “sleep” here (NIV adds in death) and I think he intentionally uses that word because we know that sleep is not permanent – we all awake from sleep – so Paul assures them that death is not the end – they still exist and we can expect them to wake up – and because of that we can have hope – there is a future for people who die before the second coming – death is not the end – NOTE: there is a thought “soul sleep” which teaches that in between our death the second coming we are unconscious. That could be true but I see other passages that indicate that we remain conscious after death:

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV) — 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:21–23 (NIV) — 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Luke 16:19-31– the Rich man and Lazarus

I think Paul uses this term “sleep” to emphasize that death is not final not that we are unconscious in the interim period

We have reason for this hope on the basis of the resurrection of Jesus – we have a historical precedent in Jesus – he died (uses this word to dispel any thoughts that Jesus didn’t really die) but that wasn’t the end of him – Jesus’ resurrection is proof positive that there is something after death

Those who have died will accompany Jesus in his return– they will participate in this great day

Not only will they participate, they will have some level of priority – it seems from v16 that they will be reunited with their bodies – what I believe to be transformed, imperishable bodies before those who are still alive experience that transformation – they are not missing out in fact they will be first in line

This event will be loud – I don’t think anyone is going to miss this

After the dead are raised those who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds with those who have died and together we will be with the Lord forever. NOTE: this is the primary passage where some get the teaching of the Rapture – the word caught up in Latin is the origin of the word. The teaching on the Rapture usually includes ideas of a seven year tribulation where believers are removed and others are left behind to endure that period of usually thought o be seven years. There are people who believe Christians will be raptured before that 7 years, some in the middle, some at the end. Pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib are all terms you might hear. I don’t see this here in 1 Thessalonians nor do I see it clearly anywhere else in the Bible. I consider myself an eschatological minimalist – I think Christ comes back. I see that this rapture is the second coming of Christ. There is no rapture and then a second coming. I know there are people who don’t agree with me. Here’s a response – the primary teaching on Scripture that I think we all have to agree on is that Christ is coming back and there will be judgment – some to eternal life and some to eternal destruction.  I believe we can have liberty in disagreeing with all the details about how all that is going to happen and events prior to that second coming. I am not going to complain if things don’t happen the way I think they are going to happen. I just want to be on the right side.

This is encouraging – any teaching on the second coming that does not end up encouraging you as a believer might miss the mark.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NIrV) — 18 So cheer each other up with these words of comfort.

When we talk about the second coming of Jesus, for those of us who believe, this should fill us with joy! This is going to be exciting. Amazing.

But we are curious people, aren’t we? So in chapter 5 Paul addresses their concern with the timing of this event.

Everyone wants to know when Jesus is coming back, but here is Paul’s response:

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 (NIV) — 1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The second coming will be both unexpected and expected

We don’t know exactly when – Paul uses the image of a thief in the night. Jesus used this same imagery. Thieves do make schedule appointments. Living in Houston my apartment got broken into. They never told me. I suspect it was some workers who were doing some work around the apartment. They may have seen me that morning. They did not have the decency to tell me. The second coming of Christ will not be scheduled so we can put it on our calendar. The second coming will be unexpected.

At the same time, the second coming will be expected in the sense we know it is coming. Paul uses the imagery of a pregnant woman.  You know the baby is coming you just don’t know when. We have to remember that this is the first century long before we had tests that would help pinpoint the due date and medicines that could induce labor or medical procedures that could take the baby. A pregnant woman in the first century knew she was having a baby and certainly knew a time-frame but it was much less certain that it is now. She knew the baby was coming when labor pains came upon her.

We know Christ is coming back (we are pregnant women) but we don’t know precisely when (the thief doesn’t schedule an appointment). Oddly, there are many people who make the claim they know when Christ will come back. Since 1980 there have been no less than 71 predictions of Christ’s return – all have been wrong. There are no eschatological OBGYN’s who can look at the world and give you a due date. We can all say he’s coming but no one can say when.

Knowing the certainty and the suddenness of that day we live soberly.

Sober means clear-headed, thoughtful. We usually hear this word as an antonym for drunk. But it means more than that. Again, I like the NIrV:

1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 (NIrV) — 6 So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves. 7 Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put the armor of faith and love on our chest. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.

We live self-controlled lives because we want to be ready for that day because we know that this day will also be a day of God’s wrath and those who are not ready will experience that. There are many people who live in denial of death and the second coming and the subsequent judgment that will follow. This is a foolish way to live life. We don’t live like that – we live prepared.

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 (NIrV) — 9 God didn’t choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to receive salvation because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. 10 Jesus died for us. Some will be alive when he comes. Others will be dead. Either way, we will live together with him.

We want to live with him and we want to be reunited with those who have died before us so while we wait we here is his advice:

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIrV) — 8 But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put the armor of faith and love on our chest. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.

Faith – we are going to believe. We are going to love. And we will live with hope. And that glorious triad – faith, hope, and love – will keep us until that day.

A correct understanding of the second coming does these three things:

It mitigates our grief – it doesn’t eliminate it but it take away the finality of death

It motivates us to lives of faith, hope, and love – we want to be prepared for that day – we are going to live meaningful lives – the second coming makes us better people

It manufactures joy - knowing this all ends well makes this life better – it’s like we are watching a movie that we know has a happy ending – it’s like watching a game where we already know our team wins – God wins!!!

Paul concludes his section much like he did with the precious one:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) — 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I want you to be encouraged today and whenever you think about the second coming of Christ. I want you to find strength knowing that Christ is coming back and even though we don’t know all the particulars it will be a glorious day when Christ will reign without rival, when all evil is vanquished, we will live with the Lord forever.

In the meantime, be strong. Be hopeful. Never give up. Know that one day all will be well! And we wait hopeful for that day!