A significant event known as the Rapture is approaching. Though the term “rapture” is not found in the Bible, it is clearly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Snatched Away!
This is the day when Jesus Christ will descend from heaven to take His church from the earth, including both the living and those who have died in Christ. His church consists of people who have been born again of the Spirit of God, not just a physical building. This rapture is the hope we hold as born-again Christians, a promise reiterated throughout the New Testament.
Let’s take a closer look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Let’s break down these verses:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
Paul wants to reassure the Thessalonian Christians about the rapture. Even if they’ve lost loved ones, they will reunite in the air when Jesus returns. “The rest of mankind” refers to those without Christ, who have no hope because they lack the Spirit of God. They will not be part of the rapture, facing a hopeless situation.
“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Paul affirms his belief that just as Jesus died and rose again, so too will those who have died in Christ. This gives Christians great hope that physical death is not the end.
“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Those who have died in Christ will be the first to meet the Lord. When they died, they were immediately present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul emphasizes twice that the dead in Christ will rise first. “Those who are left” refers to the living Christians when Jesus returns. The whole world will hear His command and know the end is near.
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Paul reassures the Thessalonians for the third time that their deceased loved ones will rise first, offering comfort to grieving families. He does not discourage grieving but offers hope for reunion. When this happens, we will all be with the Lord forever—an incomparable promise.
What About You?
Are you ready for the rapture? Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart to be born again? If you have, praise God. If you haven’t or are unsure, consider praying this prayer…
Lord Jesus I need you.
Thank you for taking away all of my sins at the cross.
I realize that I came in to this world spiritually dead and condemned for hell.
I am asking you to come in to my life so that I can be born again and so that I will be with your forever.
I now thank you for giving me new life and coming to live inside me, making me rapture ready!
We will see you in the clouds and in the air!
GraceCoach.org:
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