The Comfort of Christ's Coming

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

Introduction: One Sunday after morning services, I was driving to my house to gather with the rest of the family for lunch. There was a lot of new home construction at that time in an area near where we live. As we approached an intersection, my grandson was fascinated by the sign a young man was holding. The sign was large and had only two things on it: “NEW HOMES” and a big arrow indicating the direction to turn. We drove just a bit farther and came to another young man standing at a corner with a sign identical to the first one we’d seen: “NEW HOMES” and a big arrow, presumably pointing to the same housing development. When we were almost home, we encountered a third sign—no teenage sign holder, just the sign. The holder had either decided to take a break or concluded he was done for the day because his sign was leaned up against the side of a car. The sign was standing on its end so that the arrow was pointing vertically toward the sky. I was struck by the spiritual irony of a large arrow pointing toward heaven accompanied by the words, “NEW HOMES”! I immediately thought of Jesus’ words in John 14:2-3: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Jeremiah, Dr. David . The Rapture (p. 21). Kindle Edition.

The word but introduces a new subject, but it also connects what Paul is preparing to say to what he has already said. The restlessness of disorderly believers (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) was caused by a faulty understanding of the Rapture of the Church. They rightly understood that the coming of Christ was imminent—that it could happen at any moment. However, they were wrong in that they believed that their loved one who died before Christ's return would miss the rapture.

I. The Reassurance—1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NKJV) 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

a. Their Dilemma. Paul said, But I do not want you to be ignorant... (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

i. The word ignorant means to be "uninformed or lacking knowledge."

ii. Paul is writing to give them information concerning the rapture.

iii. Unfortunately, there are a lot of folks who are willingly ignorant about the return of Christ.

iv. Peter said, For this they willingly are ignorant of... (2 Peter 3:3-5) They have made a conscious choice to reject the truth of Christ's return.

b. Their Death. Their dilemma and despair was concerning those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

i. The word asleep speaks of the dead.

ii. Jesus referred to both Dorcas and Lazarus as being asleep—the sleep of death. (Luke 8:52, John 11:11) This in no way implies soul sleep. The body is all that goes to the cemetery.

iii. Upon death the soul immediately goes to either Heaven or Hell.

iv. Luke 16:22-23 (NKJV) 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Immediately at death the rich man went to Hell.

v. He didn't go to Hell because he was rich, but because he died unprepared.

vi. The beggar was taken by the angels into Abraham's bosom—a place of rest and comfort.

c. Their Despair. Paul admonished them that they sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

i. The Thessalonian believers weren't rejecting truth, they simply misunderstood the doctrine of the rapture in connection to the resurrection.

ii. As a result they were they were sorrowing over the loss of loved ones as if there were no hope for them. It is no sin to sorrow and even weep at the death of a loved one. However, we are not to sorrow as the lost world.

iii. They have no hope, but we have the blessed hope. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. “(Titus 2:13).

iv. The most satisfying solution for sorrow over the death of loved ones is correct information about what the future holds.

v. The Bible says, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalms 116:15)

d. Their Doctrine. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV) 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

i. Paul assures them that their loved ones were not in the grave.

ii. Their bodies had been buried, but their souls were with the Lord in Heaven.

iii. Paul's assurance was that those who die in Christ before the rapture will come back with Christ in the rapture.

II. The Revelation—1 Thessalonians 4:15 (NKJV) 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 by no means precede those who are asleep.--Paul begins to fill in some details as to the Lord's coming in the rapture.

a. Paul's Authority

i. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord... (1 Thessalonians 4:15)

ii. Paul stresses the fact that his teaching is from the Lord. Notice the authoritative tone.

iii. Paul wasn't dealing in mere speculation—his authority was the word of the Lord.

iv. This is the inspired writer revealing what God has given to him. It is God's revelation to His people.

v. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV) 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

vi. The Thessalonian believers had a reputation for relying and standing upon the Word of God. Earlier Paul commended them for their reception of the Word. When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God... (1 Thessalonians 2:13) Notice the contrast—they distinguished between the word of men and the word of God.

vii. Our final authority is the Word of God. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

b. Paul's Affirmation. Based upon the authority of God's word, Paul assures them that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord... (1 Thessalonians 4:15)

i. Notice the word we. Paul included himself in those he named as living and remaining at Christ's return. Paul, under inspiration, believed in and taught the imminent return of Christ.

ii. He believed the Lord's return could occur at any moment in his lifetime.

c. Paul's Assurance. Paul says (1 Thessalonians 4:15 (NKJV) 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 by no means precede those who are asleep.)

i. Paul reassured the Thessalonians that those who had died would not miss the Rapture.

ii. The word precede carries the idea of "having an advantage or preceding."

iii. The concern of the Thessalonian's idea was that because some of the believers had died they would miss out on the rapture.

iv. Paul assures them that not only will the dead in Christ be included in the rapture, but they will rise first.

III. The Return--1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV) 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.)

a. The Lord's return is personal. The text states that the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.

b. There are those who teach that the second coming of Christ is fulfilled in a person's life when he is saved.

c. However, if we study and rightly divide the word of God we learn that such an interpretation will not do.

d. The Bible teaches beyond any shadow of a doubt that the second coming of Christ will be a literal, visible, and personal return.

e. Jesus said, In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)

f. In this reference to the rapture Jesus unmistakably stated that He would personally return for His people.

g. At the time of our Lord's accession the Bible states: And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:10-11)

h. There is only one way to interpret this passage. Just as Jesus literally, bodily, and visibly ascended into Heaven, He will just as literally return to this earth.

i. Just as there was a literal and visible ascension, there will be a literal and visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

IV. The Resurrection—Paul says, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

a. Notice that it is not simply the dead, but the dead in Christ.

b. Only those who are saved can lay claim to this glorious promise.

c. Every Church age saint will be raised at the rapture.

d. The Old Testament saints will be raised at the end of the Great Tribulation. (Daniel 12:2)

e. Hallelujah! There is hope beyond this life.

f. When a believer dies, his body is put in the grave, but his spirit goes immediately into the presence of the Lord. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) When our Lord returns, the soul will return with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) to be reunited with the body, which will be resurrected and glorified. (1 John 3:1-3)

g. The grave has no claim on the believer. Death and the grave have been defeated. Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) We have a hope that transcends the grave.

V. The Rapture--1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV) 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

a. There are many who make a great deal of fuss about the fact that the word rapture does not appear in the Bible.

b. While they are correct, they must also admit that the concept of the rapture is certainly taught. The words caught up mean to "seize, snatch away, carry off by force."

c. This is the idea of rapture. Jesus will take the church away from earth suddenly, and by force in the Rapture.

d. Our Lord is coming back and with the blast of the archangel's trumpet He will summon His people. The grave of every dead saint will give up its dead and those still living at that time will be caught up with Christ to ever be with Him. 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV) 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.) Look at that last part again! ... the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

e. This is the believer's glorification. (1 John 3:2 (NKJV) 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

f. What precious and promising words! We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. This speaks of the rapture, the day when God the Father's desire for every believer will be realized at last—the glorification of the Christian.

g. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

h. When we are in His presence our glorification will be a reality, and we will be conformed to the image of Christ.

VI. The Reunion--We shall be caught up together with them... so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) The reunion is two-fold.

a. The Gathering. The text says that we will be caught up together with them. Once again we will be with friends and family who have gone on before us. We will never have to say goodbye to them again. John tells us that Heaven is a place where, There shall be no more death(Revelation 21:4) In heaven there will never be a grave dug. There will be no funeral homes, no black hearses, no cemeteries, no gravediggers, and no tombstones. Never again will we have to stand by a death bed or a casket and say goodbye to a loved one. What a reunion!

b. The Guarantee. Paul says, so shall we ever be with the Lord. Praise God we are in Christ! Just imagine that day when we will be with Him. When John saw Heaven he wrote, And I saw no temple therein. (Revelation 21:22) The Temple of the Old Testament represented God's presence and glory. It is where God met with man. There is no building in Heaven to which we must go to worship. We will be with Him personally. Notice that Paul says we will ever be with the Lord. The Christian's life in Heaven will be one of constant intimacy with Jesus Christ throughout all eternity. What a reunion!

VII. The Rejoicing—1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NKJV) 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

a. The rapture is a comforting prospect.

b. We've got something to shout about. David said, I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23:6)

c. I'm glad that David didn't say "I might dwell in the house of the Lord, or I hope to dwell in the house of the Lord."

d. Because Jehovah was his Shepherd, David could say without reservation I will dwell in the house of the Lord.

e. What a wonderful assurance in this age of doubt! Earlier David used the word surely; now he says I will.

f. We have a wonderful certainty and comfort even in uncertain times.

g. Does the doctrine of the rapture comfort you?

Invitation: Those of us who are here today and saved have a great responsibility to tell your friends and family who do not know Christ that they cannot delay deciding their future with Christ. After Christ comes back to claim his Bride the Church. He will usher his bride carefully back into the safety and glory of heaven. But for those who are left behind, there will be only confusion and heart break on the earth. The time of Jacob’s trouble will begin, and the Great Tribulation will cover the earth. If your loved one who does not know Christ is left behind during this awful time, it will be difficult for them to be saved in this period of Judgment that will come upon the earth. This will be a time when Satan and all his demons will be unleashed upon mankind. If you are listening today on Face Book Live want, you choose Christ as your personal savior today. Just pray this prayer with me today, “Dear God, I believe that your son, Jesus, died on the cross and was raised from death. Because I am a sinner, I need your forgiveness. Please forgive me for all my sin and come into my life. Right now, I turn away for my sinful life and acknowledge Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

Story: Extra

I heard a story from a previous generation about an old farmer who, along with his wife and son, made their very first trip to the big city. At first they just walked around, staring up at the tops of the tall buildings. When they got over their amazement at all the things they had never seen before, the wife went into a department store while the farmer and his son went to the bank—the tallest of all the buildings. As they walked into the lobby, they were stopped in their tracks. A large, elderly woman was standing facing two steel doors in the wall of the lobby. Suddenly, the two doors pulled apart and the woman entered a small room, the two steel doors closing behind her. The farmer and his son stood there watching a dial over the doors sweep over to the right, pause, and then begin sweeping back to the left. Suddenly, the doors opened for a second time and a beautiful young woman came walking out of the little room. The farmer turned to his son and said, “You wait right here. I’m going to get your mother and run her through that thing!”

Unfortunately, that old farmer was about to discover there was nothing in the elevator that would transform his wife into a more gorgeous woman. But there is something coming that will transform every Christian who has ever lived into the image of their Savior: the Rapture of the church. Christ will return, the dead will be raised, the living will follow them into the air where a glorious reunion will take place. And we will be changed: “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Jeremiah, Dr. David The Rapture (pp. 31-32). Kindle Edition.