As we continue to look at the four main passages from scripture that support the pre-tribulation rapture, we will find that the most information concerning that time is provided in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.
1Thessalonians 4:13 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.
“ignorant” = not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); not understand
The first part of this verse indicates that Paul is introducing a truth that he wants to be sure the Thessalonian believers know and understand. This information pertains to believers who have already died physically. Their deaths should not cause those to whom Paul was writing to sorrow as though there was no hope—the type of sorrow that leads one into deep despair because of no hope of future fellowship with that loved one.
1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
“if we believe” – Each person has to examine his own heart for affirmation of his faith.
IF it is true that Jesus died and rose again (and it is), then we can confidently expect that God will bring those who precede us in death as believers in Jesus with Him when He comes for His own.
I found this quote by R. A. Coombes (I forgot to note from where) in support of my understanding of this verse: “The word ‘if’ is what grammarians term a ‘first-class condition,’ meaning a condition that is assumed to be true.”
1Thessalonians 4:15 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.
This verse clarifies that this truth is directly connected to the truth Paul wrote to the Corinthians that was discussed in the previous post. It is truth Paul received from the mouth of God.
1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Paul is referencing a coming of Jesus at a time when those members of the body of Christ who are still alive will experience an amazing transformation—from a corruptible/mortal to an incorruptible/immortal body. This will only happen once in the life of every believer. This time of transformation will happen simultaneously with those believers who have died physically before that event occurs.
1Thessalonians 4:16-17 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: 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.
Paul now gives a chronological flow of events associated with the rapture.
1. The Lord will descend from heaven with:
• A shout – The Greek indicates a “command.”
• The voice of the archangel – Michael is the only archangel identified in scripture. He is designated as the “great prince that stands for the nation of Israel.” (Daniel 12:1)
• The trump of God. – This would seem to reference the voice of God the Father. The voice of the Lord is described as a trumpet in Revelation.
Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last….
The Greek for the word "trump" references “a reverberation or vibration as well as a trumpet.” In that regard, it makes me think of thunder, and there are other scriptures that equate the voice of God with thunder.
Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Psalm 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth….
Then again, this could be a special musical trumpet used by God in announcing His purpose.
2. The dead in Christ shall rise first. – The Greek indicates that the word dead is referencing “a corpse.” In other words, Paul is making it clear that it is our earthly bodies that will be physically resurrected to immortality. This is just as it was with Jesus. “In Christ” would be inclusive of all men and women of faith. Those from the Old Testament who were men and women of faith are “in Christ” just as surely as are we of the church. God’s provision of salvation for all men of all time is “in Christ.” I think this truth is supported by the following verses from Hebrews regarding the great men and women of faith of the Old Testament.
Hebrews 11:39–40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
3. We who are alive will be caught up together with them (those who had preceded us in death). – The Greek for “caught up” implies being “seized, taken by force.” This just means that this is according to God’s plan and on His timetable; we have no choice as to the timing or the method.
4. We will meet the Lord in the air. – Notice that the reference is to meeting the Lord “in the air”—not on the earth.
5. So shall we ever be with the Lord. – From that point on we will never be separated from the physical presence of the Lord.
1Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The truth of this teaching should bring every believer great comfort. The Greek for the word "comfort" states “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration…or consolation)…(give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.”
• This truth should be a reason for gathering together in fellowship as we look forward to its fulfillment.
• It should encourage us to implore others to accept the gospel so as to be able to be part of this great ingathering.
• We should desire the coming of that day and encourage one another to live so as to be prepared and not ashamed at His coming.
• It should also be a truth that causes us to approach the Lord in prayer and personal communion regarding how to best serve Him as we look forward to this time when we get to go home to heaven.
• This truth should also provide great comfort to us when faced with the death of others we love in the body of Christ.
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