1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 / The Return of Christ

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, 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 fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Purpose of this writing

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Fact #1: The basis of our belief is in the resurrection of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 ESV

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

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again...

Our faith has implications.

More than simply agreeing to the terms of Christianity.

“You can read the book of covenants after you close on your house.”

Jesus died...

...and rose again.

Fact #2: All believers will be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

The dead in Christ will rise first...

The dead IN CHRIST

Source of Comfort

We are spiritual beings

God will not FORGET those who have died.

What kind of body will they have?

Died of illnesses, war, disasters...

1 cor 15:52 - the dead imperishable, the living changed

Glorified physical bodies

Where are they now?

Bible not explicitly clear.

“Absent of the body - present with the Lord.”

“TODAY you will be with me in paradise”

Source of Urgency

This is a promise exclusively for Christians who have passed.

Hebrews 9:27 - it is appointed man to die once and then judgment.

There is no praying for the souls of those of the dead to “find” the Lords.

There is still a futile practice to pray for the dead to be converted.

You can understand the urgency.

The time for the urgency is now.

Sins are paid for, nothing left except our decision to put our faith in Jesus as our Lord and savior.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV

17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

We will join them in the clouds...

“We” - exclusively CHRISTIANS

Urgency for us as well..

Caught up

harpazo - snatch away, seize

Rapture - in the twinkling of an eye

We (all of us) will always be with the Lord.

Final Judgment

New heaven and New Earth

Fact #3 Christ’s return should be a source of hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Right at this moment, how does the thought of Christ’s return make you feel?

Hope, Worry, Apathy.

Christ’s return should be a source of encouragement.

Explaining death to a kindergartener

We are temporarily separated like summer break.

Only true if you are a believer

Only encouraging if you know the promise.