1 Thessalonians 4:13–18- Part 7

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Paul is replying to a question that was asked by the church in Thessalonica about the coming of Jesus.

There is a simple breakdown of his response.

In vs 13 Paul introduces “The Topic.”

 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

The topic is about those who have died.

The greek word for died actually means sleep. But Paul’s understanding of death for the believer is temporary, as though they were asleep

Jesus uses the same term in reference to Lazarus.

John 11:11 “11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.””

Sleep was often a euphemism for death. It was used by the Jews, Greeks, and Christians.

He wants them to know something so they will not be like those who have no hope, i.e. those who do not know Jesus

What hope do you have if you believe that after you die, nothing happens.

Next in vs 14 Paul gives “A Theological Affirmation.”

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died

The theological statement he is making is that Jesus, (God) will be coming back!

A couple interesting notes…

He will be bringing with him those who had died - sleep is the greek word

but Paul uses the word died when he refers to what happens to Jesus.

As Christians we face a physical death, but not a spiritual one.

Jesus faced a physical death and a spiritual one (separation from the Father), so he did more than just sleep.

When Jesus comes back he will bring those who have fallen asleep physically but are with him spiritually.

Following his Theological Affirmation Paul give “Additional Information” in vs 15-17

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.

What Paul is about to say is “the word of the Lord” - not actual spoken words of Jesus, but words of Jesus spoken through Paul.

we who are alive…left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died (sleep).

But I thought those who were asleep were with Jesus? Consider that only their bodies were asleep, not their spirits because they are with Jesus when he comes back.

There was a fear that those who died before Jesus’ return would not get to enjoy the benefit of Jesus’ return, Paul is putting that fear to rest.

The alive cannot precede those who have fallen asleep because they are already with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:8 “8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”

Vs 16 expands what was said in vs 15

For the Lord -Jesus- will descend from heaven…

When that happens there will also be a cry of command with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet.

During or immediately after the dead in Christ will rise first.

Dead is not the greek word sleep but the word that means the soul is separated from the body, you could say, “the dead body of those who are with Jesus, will rise first. Why do they rise first? Maybe because they are 6 feet under? There is something else to consider. The greek word for first is, proton, and it also means first in rank or honor. Maybe there is a special honor to them for having died before the Lords return.

Vs 17n deals with those who are left, we will be “caught up” in the clouds with them. Eternally we will be with the Lord.

Finally in vs 18 Paul gives “Application”

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Paul is telling them to encourage each other, but a better word is comfort. Comfort each other in the midst of our dying family and friends that one day we will see them again.