Day 52 - 1 Thessalonians

66-DAY JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE

Day 52 - 1 Thessalonians (Rapture and Resurrection)

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But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Bible always refers to dead Christians as either dead in Christ or asleep.  Our text above details the order of the rapture and the resurrection of the dead in Christ.  Those who are alive when Jesus comes FOR the saints (the rapture) will not precede the dead in Christ.  In other words, those who are asleep will rise and meet Jesus in the clouds first then those who are alive will follow immediately after.

The question naturally arises:  What happens to the old testament believers as well as those who will believe after the rapture?  The Bible teaches that they will rise at the second coming of Christ WITH the saints (those raptured and resurrected at the rapture).

What does this all mean to you and me?  For Christians, as Paul wrote in the beginning of our text, we do not sorrow concerning those who have fallen asleep.  One day, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have placed their faith and hope in Christ.  

For those of you who have yet to repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ, may this truth about the rapture and resurrection move you not to delay the most important decision you can ever make.  Not making a decision to trust Christ is a decision not to trust him.  I pray you will begin the coming new year with a new life in Christ and the assurance of eternal life that comes with it.