XVII: THE RAPTURE AND

THE RESURRECTION

XVII: THE RAPTURE AND

THE RESURRECTION

XVII: THE RAPTURE AND

THE RESURRECTION

Paul States the Facts: Part 2I Thessalonians 4 + 5

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I THESSALONIANSSome key phrases that keep reoccurring.

For you yourselves know . . .

For you recall,brethren . . .

You are witnesses . . .

. . .just as you know . . . For you know . . .

For each of you knows . . .

As to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone

to write you

As to the times and epochs, you have no need of anything

to be written to you.

I THESSALONIANSSome key phrases that keep reoccurring.

For you yourselves know . . .

For you recall,brethren . . .

You are witnesses . . .

. . .just as you know . . . For you know . . .

For each of you knows . . .

As to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone

to write you

As to the times and epochs, you have no need of anything

to be written to you.Paul treats this letteras a series of remindersabout what he had taught them orally when he was with them.

I THESSALONIANS 4

13. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep . . .

THE PROBLEM:

Even with all Paul’s teaching, this church might be confused about what has happened to those among their number who have died.

I THESSALONIANS 4

13. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep that you may not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

THE ISSUE:

The Thessalonians grieve like those who have no hope.

I THESSALONIANS 4

14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

THE SOLUTION:

Belief in Christ’s own resurrection guarantees us that He has the power to bring their dead with Him when He returns.

I THESSALONIANS 4

15. 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 shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

THE PROOF OF GOD’S

CONCERN FOR THE DEAD:

The resurrected rise to join the descending Christ even before the living rise to meet their Lord!

I THESSALONIANS 4

16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God.

THE RETURNDescribed:

A noisy, rousing descent . . .

(Again with the trumpets, already! I Cor 15:52)

I THESSALONIANS 4

16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ will rise first!!!

THE RETURNDescribed in Detail

See! The dead have had and will have Christ’s full attention and care!!

I THESSALONIANS 4

17 Then we who are alive 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.

THE FOLLOWUP:Glorious

Reunification

A rousing declaration of the unity of the Body of Christ and of our eternal communion with our Lord Jesus.

I THESSALONIANS 4

18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

EVERYDAY APPLICATION #1:

While you wait, find comfort amidst the

distress of personal loss or persecution.

I THESSALONIANS 4

18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

EVERYDAY APPLICATION #1:

While you wait, find comfort amidst the

distress of personal loss or persecution.

Didn’t I tell you? Paul always ties in lessons about End-Times with our work-a-day lives as Christians waiting for those times.

I THESSALONIANS 5

1-2. Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

A REMINDER:of Paul’s earlier teaching!

The nature of Christ’s return:

Like a thief in the night.

Suddenness?

Surprise?

FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!To from where Paul’s imagery originally came . . . .

MATTHEW 24

32. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33. So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

Earlier, in His Olivet Discourse, Jesus had toldthe disciples (and us, too?)that we would know the SEASON of His return(but not the precise time!)and that “YOU” should be looking for signs that would alert “YOU” to the arrival of that season.

MATTHEW 2442: Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Next, Jesus introduced the metaphor of the thief and the householder here in Matthew 24-in His famous Olivet Discourse at the end of His ministry.

Jesus treated Satan as “the head of the house”,Himself as the thief! Curious imagery, no?

43: But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night that the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

I THESSALONIANS 53. While they are saying “Peace and safety” then destruc-tion will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child and they shall not escape.

THE SURPRISED:

Sinners and the unsaved will have a huge shock coming at Christ’s return as a thief.

I THESSALONIANS 5

4. But you,brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.5. for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness.

THE ALERT:

The “BRETHREN” however will not be totally surprised by the day of Christ’s coming (though they won’t know the precise hour!)

FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!Jesus at Olivet told the brethren to be alert, too . . . .

MATTHEW 2444: For this reason you be ready too, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Jesus cautions “YOU” tostay on the alert because the hour of return remains a secret.

The Parable of the Faithful Servant then follows to spell out what being “ALERT” looks like: Feeding the household of the Master.

45: Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

MATTHEW 2444: For this reason you be ready too, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Jesus cautions “YOU” tostay on the alert because the hour of return remains a secret.

The Parable of the Faithful Servant then follows to spell out what being “ALERT” looks like: Feeding the household of the Master.

45: Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

Who is this “YOU”? The disciples?

Does Jesus include us, too?

I THESSALONIANS 5

9. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.10. who died for us that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with Him.

PROMISE #1:Salvation–not wrath

PROMISE #2:Eternal unity with Christ

for all Christians

Paul’s language in the surrounding text seems VERY

inclusive, if you ask me!

I THESSALONIANS 4

18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

APPLICATION #1:

While you wait, find comfort amidst the

distress of personal loss or persecution.

I THESSALONIANS 5

9. Since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.11. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

APPLICATION #2:While you wait,

suit up!

APPLICATION #3:While you wait,

encourage one other.

COMING NEXT:

NEXT: XVIII: THE CHURCH AVENGED:II Thessalonians 1 and the justice of God on behalf of His Church

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