When I was younger, I had more tolerance for argument than I do now. Years ago, I was more than happy to spend hours and hours debating theological interpretations with others. Now, it isn't something I particularly enjoy doing.
Several months ago, I experienced someone who was "trolling" my blog, trying to get me to engage in theological arguments with him. I replied to him a few times, but quickly realized how fruitless the discussion was becoming. He was convinced of his perspective and did not accept the authority of Scripture, so I very quickly stopped going back and forth with him. He mainly wanted to argue for the sake of arguing, and I don't have time for that.
But even those who accept the authority of Scripture can sometimes get in heated debates over certain theological distinctives. One of those hot-button topics is addressed in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In this passage, we read the description of an event that we typically call "the Rapture." The Rapture is the carrying away of believers to meet Jesus Christ in the air. The term "rapture" isn't actually in the Bible, but it comes from the Latin word "rapio" which means "to catch up" or "take away." In essence, it's the nickname Christians have given for the event described by Paul in this passage.
As we look at this widely debated topic, I don't intend to heavily debate it. I'd prefer to stick to what the Scripture actually says, and accept the fact that there are certain aspects surrounding this event that remain mysterious to us.
In addition to that, I want us to examine the important matters Paul was trying to clarify for the church about the nature of what God has in store for those who have genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
As Paul begins this section of his letter, he does so by addressing the common problem of grieving...
I. Believers grieve in a different way
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ”
Imagine you lived in the years just after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. What do you think it would have been like to be a believer during that season of history? Jesus assured His followers that the day was coming when He would return. They weren't told exactly when it would be, but they were encouraged to be prepared for His return to happen at any time. I'm guessing that if I lived during that era, I would have expected Jesus to return pretty soon after He ascended into Heaven.
It seems clear that the Thessalonian believers genuinely believed Christ could return at any moment. I think they were also of the opinion that His return was going to be during their lifetime. That belief may have caused them to feel some concern for their loved ones who died before they had the chance to see Christ's return. I think they may have been worried that those who passed away may have missed out on what Jesus had in store.
I imagine these are the kinds of questions we'd probably be wrestling with as well if we didn't have access to the completed Bible. When people I love pass away, I can't help but think about what they're seeing and experiencing. It's natural to desire their comfort, healing, and protection in the arms of a loving God. But since we haven't witnessed the heavenly things the Lord has in store for us with our own eyes, we're dependent on what He has revealed in Scripture.
So Paul attempted to comfort the Thessalonians with some information they may have been unaware of. He told them that he didn't want them to be uninformed about those who had died. He didn't want them to grieve as if there was no hope for believers after our time on earth is complete.
That's something we need to be aware of as well. Grieving is healthy, and necessary, particularly after a loved one passes away. But those of us who grieve can do so with great hope, knowing that the Lord has good things in store for those who know Him.
II. Believers will also experience a resurrection
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ”
When you're reading through Scripture, you'll come across several key events. You'll find verses that reference the creation of the world, the fall of mankind, the birth of Christ, and the crucifixion of Christ. But the event that our entire faith hinges on is the resurrection of Christ. Because Christ rose from death, He was proven to be who He said He was. He is the sinless Son of God who atoned for our sin, defeated Satan and death, and promises that we too will experience a resurrection like His.
As Paul was attempting to explain the details of what happens to believers after they experience death, he wanted to make it clear that the resurrection of Christ guarantees a resurrection of those who are united to Christ through faith.
That means that if you have genuine faith in Jesus, and have received His gift of salvation, you will be raised from death. You will be raised with a new, incorruptible body that is no longer subject to sin, disease, injury, or death. This is something God has assured us we can look forward to.
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:20-21)
III. The dead in Christ will rise first
“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ”
Several years ago, I was driving my car and I had a friend with me in the passenger seat. He and I were chatting as we drove, but as we came to a cross street, I abruptly stepped on the brakes. Not even a moment later, another car jutted out into our lane because they weren't paying attention. If I hadn't slammed on my breaks, we would have hit them. My friend asked me, "How did you know to stop? If you didn't catch that, we would have easily crashed." I replied, "I was looking ahead, and based on how they had their car positioned, and where that driver was looking, I suspected they might do what they did."
The day is coming when Jesus will return. Some people are looking ahead and will be prepared for that day. Many others will not. Scripture reveals to us that Jesus is returning, and we're told in several places what to expect when He comes back.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul shared several additional details about Christ's return. We're told that Jesus will descend from heaven, and there will be great noise accompanying the event including; the cry of command, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of the trumpet of God. This will be unmistakeable.
At that point, we're told the dead in Christ will rise from their graves. I tend to think of cemeteries as quiet places with very little activity, but since I take this Scripture literally, I suspect that there will be many caretakers who have a busier day than expected when Christ calls His people to join Him in the air.
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44a)
IV. The living will be caught up together with them
“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ”
After the dead in Christ have been raised, those who are still living will be "raptured" or caught up together with them in the clouds. We will meet up together with them in the air, and from that time forward, we will always be with the Lord. That's certainly something we should be looking forward to while we await the day.
But here's where the debate tends to come in. When will these things happen? When we read through the book of Revelation, we can see that the time is coming when this earth is going to experience a seven year period of judgment called the Tribulation. It's a time when divine judgment is going to be poured out on this earth. It won't be an enjoyable time to be living on this planet, but will believers experience it, or will Christ carry them away before it begins?
There are three views on that subject. The pre-tribulational view teaches that Christ will rapture His church sometime before that seven-year tribulation begins. The mid-tribulational view teaches that Christ will rapture His people at the midpoint of the Tribulation, just before the Great Tribulation that occurs during the second half of those seven years begins. The post-tribulational view teaches that believers will remain on this earth during all seven years of the Tribulation, then Christ will return to take them to be with Him.
Regardless of which view you think is correct, I don't feel called to argue the timing of these future events. Rather, I feel grateful to know that the Lord has good things in store for all who are united to Christ. We have the privilege of living with Him forever, and that's a genuine blessing that doesn't change regardless of one's eschatological leanings.
V. Encourage one another with this truth
“Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Paul's desire was that believers learn this truth, teach it to each other, and encourage one another with these specific words. We're called to remind one another of the hope we have in Christ, whether or not we're in a season of grief, sorrow, or adversity.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
© John Stange, 2020
