A Dramatic Appearing. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
Dear Bride of Christ,
Paul’s exposition of the coming appearing of the Lord follows a sequence of events that culminate in the conclusion, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (v. 18). Paul is following up on the issue of grief and wants the hope he teaches about to be a source of comfort for the believers. (The first four points of outline used in this section are borrowed from my friend and mentor, Larry Locken).
Revelation (v. 15). Paul says that what he is saying is “a word from the Lord.” There is no known equivalent of these following words in the known teachings of Jesus, so this is most likely a direct revelation. The dead in Christ have not missed out on anything, after all. As a matter of fact, those who are alive will not “precede those who have fallen asleep.”
Resurrection (v. 16).Paul probably has in his mind the picture of a Jewish wedding. A bridegroom would be preceded by a herald who would go shouting his coming, accompanied by a band that would be playing drums and, especially, trumpets, as he approached his bride’s house, to take her to his wedding reception. Christ is coming for his bride and it will not be a private, quiet affair. The dead in Christ will be the first to rise. We need not worry about their fate.
Rapture (v. 17a).Those who are alive will be “caught up.” The word here means to be snatched quickly, like a chicken by a bird of prey (note that raptor – bird of prey, has the same root).On this same subject, Paul says, “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Reunion (v. 17b).Those who are alive and the resurrected dead will “meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” This is the end of the separation brought about by death. It is also the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise, “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).
Relief (v. 18). The purpose of this teaching is so that the Christians can encourage and comfort one another in the knowledge that there is hope for those who die in Christ. Their grief is to be tempered by the fact that those who die in Christ are really only asleep and that we will be reunited with them. We can mourn our present separation from them but not with the despair of those who have no hope in Christ.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.