Delivered from Wrath - Part 2

Obviously, the reference to being saved from wrath is a promise to all believers, but will be an especially significant truth to those who are living at the time just preceding the beginning of that time of judgment. Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians were written specifically to address this issue. They thought that the “day of the Lord” had come and that they had been left to endure it. They were expecting Jesus to come take them to be with Him, and they were concerned that their loved ones who had already died had missed out on this “blessed hope” as well.

Wrong expectation is a source of confusion and misunderstanding in the life of a believer. It is true that God has allowed believers throughout history to suffer at the hands of evil men and/or the attack of Satan (as exampled by Job). These times have been allowed as opportunities of glorifying God and growing in spiritual maturity and accumulating treasure in heaven. When God determines to expend His wrath in vengeance on the wicked and all those who choose to yield their allegiance to Satan, there will be no comparison to the worldwide misery and suffering that will ensue. It will not be a time for spiritual refinement in the life of the child of God. It will be a time that offers one last opportunity for those of that generation to accept Christ as Lord and Savior—one last opportunity to call out for salvation in the face of great destruction and misery.

Paul was the first to explain the mystery of the gathering together of the body of believers at the coming of Jesus. At the time of his letters to the Thessalonians, his tone was one of encouragement to remember what they had been taught and stand firm in their faith. They weren’t to allow circumstances to shake their faith. Paul reminds this body of believers that the fact that Jesus died and rose again was a guarantee that all those who believe in Him would be gathered together to Him whether dead or alive at the time of His coming. We are all going to receive our resurrected, glorified bodies at the same time.

In 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 Paul actually details the order of events.
1. The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout.
2. The dead in Christ will rise first.
3. Those who are alive will be caught up with them in the clouds.
4. We will all meet the Lord in the air.
5. From that moment on we will be with the Lord.