Those Who Died in Christ

1 Thess. 4:13-18

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.

KNOWLEDGE

This is information that Paul desires the family (brethren) to know.

The word used for death is asleep.

We as a family need to talk about death because you have questions.

Lack of knowledge on the subject of death for the believer will lead to grief and hopelessness that is no different than the unbeliever.

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.

BELIEF

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a prototype for the death and resurrection of all saints that have died.

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.

WORD

The saints who are still alive when the Lord returns do not go ahead of the saints who have died.

The death of the believer gives them first access to the Lord.

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.

DESCEND

When the Lord comes it won’t be quiet of covert! There is a shout (Him or others?), a voice (archangel), a trumpet (of God).

The dead saints at the coming of the Lord 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.

CAUGHT UP

The saints who are still alive at the coming of the Lord will be together with the saints who have died to meet the Lord in the air.

Dead and alive saints will be with the Lord

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.