1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Q.1. What great truth of the Gospel should reduce the grief of the church when a believer dies? – (1 Thes.4:13-14 c.f. 2 Thes.2:1)
To lose a loved one brings grief, especially to close family members. Even Jesus wept at the graveside of Lazarus, though He knew He would raise him to life again and restore him to his sisters (Jn.11:35). However, we need not grieve as others who have no hope. The reason is clear. The resurrection of Jesus was not an isolated instance, but the First fruits, the forerunner, and guarantee of the resurrection from the dead for all of Christ’s blood-bought children (1 Cor.15:20) – For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thes.4:14).
Q.2. Whom was Paul encouraging? What is going to happen? Why is this revelation about the future of believers so significant? – (1 Thes.4:15-18)
Jesus and the apostles conveyed that the coming of Jesus was imminent. Believers were aware that Jesus may return at any time. That truth has been true for every generation since Christ’s ascension. The Thessalonians were likely thrown by the fact that Jesus did not return before some of their number had died. Paul addressed their confusion. He informed of a simultaneous ‘rapture’ of dead and living saints. This agrees with the promise made by the angels at the ascension of Jesus recorded in Acts 1:9-11, when Jesus was taken into the clouds of the sky. This was witnessed only by the believers. This then is a PRIVATE reunion, known by many as the Rapture, which is not to be confused with the PUBLIC return of Jesus to earth with countless saints, as foretold in Revelation 19:11-16 c.f. Jude 14. Paul told the Thessalonians that the anticipation of this event is to bring comfort to believers. Paul assured them that they would not be passing through the Great Tribulation as described in Revelation chapters 6-19, which mentions the twelve tribes of Israel. He also wrote – For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes.5:9) NOTE: The PUBLIC Second Coming of Christ will not feature trumpets (Rev.19:11-16). Trumpets are a feature of Christ’s PRIVATE coming for His own (1 Thes.4:16 c.f. 1 Cor.15:52).