According to web statistics, about 107 people die worldwide every minute. That is about 150,000 people per day. Obviously, that number would include some genuine Christians. Many Christians are ignorant as to what happens to a Christian when he dies. Christians in the 1st Century were ignorant of the same thing.

Paul had taught the Thessalonian believers about the coming of Christ and how that Christians would receive new immortal bodies. Perhaps he taught them the same things that he later wrote to the Corinthian church. (1 Corinthians 15:51) “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) 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. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Despite his teaching, some were still ignorant.

Transition

In our text today, Paul addressed the concern, gave a clarification, and presented a comfort about the Lord’s return that equally applies to us today.

The Concern (v.13)

  1. Some Christians are ignorant about Christ’s return
    1. The concern was “Will Christians who die before Christ returns miss out on immortality?” “What has happened to our dead Christian loved ones?”
    2. The term “asleep” in this context is a nice way of saying that they died.
  2. Ignorance leads to hopeless grief
    1. When a loved one dies, this always causes sorrow.
    2. Unbelievers sorrow over death in a terrible way because for them, death is the end. They have no hope of resurrection. They have no hope of ever seeing their loved one again. Thus, they often grieve uncontrollably.
    3. Is it right for Christians to grieve in the same way when a Christian loved one dies? This was a huge concern. If death caused them to miss Christ’s return and the opportunity to be transformed, then that too is hopeless.

The Clarification (v.14-15)

  1. Christ’s death and resurrection give hope
    1. Believing that Christ died and rose from the dead is essential for becoming a Christian. By dying and rising to live again, Christ conquered death. (Hebrews 2:14) “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
    2. In our text, the phrase “if we believe that Jesus died and rose again” describes a true Christian. Christians should have a different outlook on death than non-Christians.
  2. Spirits of dead believers will come with Christ
    1. In v. 14, those who “sleep” are those described as “the dead in Christ” in v. 16.
    2. What happens to a Christian when he or she dies? The moment that a Christian dies his or her spirit leaves the body and is present with the Lord. The body decays in the grave. (2 Corinthians 5:8) “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Paul also said, (Philippians 1:23) “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
    3. When Christ comes back to take Christians to heaven, He will bring the spirits of dead Christians with Him. It is through Jesus that this is possible. He died and rose again for us. The spirits of millions of Christians are with the Lord right now. They are looking forward to Christ’s return when their bodies will be resurrected, become immortal, and be reunited with their spirits for all eternity.
  3. Live believers will not be transformed first
    1. Some Christians will still be alive when the Lord returns. If He comes back in this hour, we will be alive to meet Him. Paul hoped to be among those Christians when he said, “we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.”
    2. Some thought that being alive would give them a head start. They thought they would get their new bodies first. Paul clarifies this misunderstanding. He said that they will NOT prevent them which are asleep.
      1. The word “prevent” is an old English word that means to precede or go before.
      2. Living believers will not get their new bodies first.

The Comfort (v.16-18)

  1. Dead believers will rise first, v.16
    1. Christ’s return will take place in a split moment, but it will be announced in three ways.
      1. There will be a shout of command
      2. There will be the voice of an archangel
      3. The trumpet of God will blow
    2. The dead in Christ will rise first. Graves all over the globe will burst open as the elements of bodies explode out and are transformed before reuniting with their spirits.
  2. Living believers will be raptured second, v.17
    1. These believers are described as those who are alive and remain. They are still living and they are the ones who remain alive until Christ returns. Paul hoped to be among them, but he died before Christ came.
    2. These living believers will be caught up together with the resurrected believers in the clouds. The term “caught up” means snatched away. The Lord will come and quickly carry living believers away.
      1. Remember, this will happen in a split second – faster than you can blink your eye.
      2. It will be a worldwide event.
      3. During that blink of time, the bodies of all believers will become immortal.
        1. An immortal body is one that can never die. It does not depend on food and water as our mortal bodies do.
        2. Once immortal, Christians will not marry or reproduce as mortals do. (Mark 12:25) “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
        3. The Christian’s immortal body will be holy. When he sees Christ, he will be like Christ. (1 John 3:2) “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” He will be eternally set free from sin and temptation.
      4. The rapture could happen at any moment. Paul anticipated Christ’s return nearly 2,000 years ago.
    3. All true Christians will forever be with the Lord.
      1. When a Christian is resurrected or raptured, his life as a mortal ends and from that moment on, he will be with the Lord.
      2. There is nothing that will ever separate those believers from the Lord.
  3. We can comfort each other with these words, v.18
    1. It is a comfort to know that Christians who die are with the Lord now and will be resurrected and changed just before living believers are raptured.
    2. It is also a comfort to know that we who know Christ personally will live eternally with the Lord.

Conclusion

As Paul addressed the concern about dead Christians and clarified what will take place. This gave comfort. This is just as true for us today as it was in the 1st Century. Our mortal lives are a struggle, but when we receive immortal bodies, all will be well for all eternity. Our duty now as we wait for Him is to live to honour Him – not ourselves.

If you are not truly a Christian, the coming rapture is not good news to you. Without Christ as your Saviour, you will be left behind to perish in hell. That is not what you want! I beg you to place your trust in Christ today. Do not delay.

Song: Jesus Is Coming Again, 151
—
The Rapture
3 April 2016 AM – 1Thes 4:13-18 – 1Th2016 – Scott Childs