The-Rock-Talk #10
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Jesus Will Still Be There
I Thessalonians 4:13-18:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Without Christ, people have no hope for the future. The Thessalonians lived for the Lord's return, although they were somewhat ignorant of the details.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
This is the IF of reality. Paul assumes their beliefs in Jesus' death and resurrection. His resurrection guarantees ours, even if we die before He returns. Those who sleep in Jesus is a figurative expression for Christians who have died.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Christians who have died before the Lord's coming will not be overlooked in the day of resurrection. This forceful assurance is guaranteed by the Word of the Lord, by Jesus Himself. "By no means" (not) is a particularly strong denial.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
It is the Lord Jesus Himself who will return. Shout is a military term used for ordering troops to assemble. This shout calls the dead to life. The voice of the archangel and the trumpet emphasizes the divine authority of His command. Christians already dead will arise before those still alive.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
We who are alive and remain will join Christ and the resurrected saints. "We" may be a general term meaning all Christians who are alive. It is not necessarily mean that Paul believed that he would be alive. "Shall be caught up" - the word rapture comes from the Latin translation of this phrase. Throughout the Scripture, clouds are representative of the divine glory. We shall always be with the Lord - what a priceless promise!
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The inclusion of the resurrection of Christians who have died is a special comfort to us in the hour of bereavement.
---by Keith R. Vaughan