"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
Part 2
Yesterday:
Verse 13:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”
There is no need to worry about any believer’s future, for God tells us what his plans are.
“Concerning them which are asleep.”
To be “asleep in Jesus” is to be “dead in Him.”
“That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
We sorrow for ourselves when a loved one dies, but not like the lost “who have no hope” of ever seeing their lost loved one again.
Today:
Please take a moment and read the paragraph, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again.”
Paul assumes[1] that all those reading these words do believe that Jesus died and rose again. Without believing in these two fundamental truths, there is no salvation. These are cardinal doctrines and believed firmly by God’s children. When Jesus died on the cross, He faced death head-on. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find that Jesus “fell asleep” on the cross. No, He suffered the full fury and horrors of death so that His children would not have to. Believers, we “fall asleep in Jesus.”
“Even so them also which sleep in Jesus.”
All those who have already died in Christ are “asleep in Jesus.” What a difference there is between the deaths of the saved and the lost who are hopeless without Christ. When the saved die, we mourn for ourselves because we will miss our friend and loved one for a little while. But on the contrary, when the lost die, we mourn for them because they have no hope.
Believers, we face death, knowing that our Lord is there waiting for us. No worries, no fear. It’s like going to sleep.
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me” (Psalm 3:5).
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
We do not look forward to the process of dying, but death no longer holds fear for those who are in Christ.
“Will God bring with Him.”
When Jesus Christ returns to this earth, He will bring those who are “asleep in Jesus” back with Him.
“It is best to understand the words to mean that Jesus will bring the faithful departed with Him when He comes back. Their death does not mean that they will miss their share in the Parousia”[2] (Morris).
“For this, we say unto you by the word of the Lord.”
Dear believer, do not be fooled, these words are not just some man’s idea, but they are the inspired Word of God! Heed these words well.
“…word of the Lord, —in the character of a message coming from ‘the mouth of the Lord.…’”
“In no place does the apostle speak more confidently and positively of his inspiration than here; and we should prepare ourselves to receive some momentous and interesting truth”[3] (Clarke).
And here it is…
“Then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.”
These are the believers who are alive at the time when Jesus Christ returns. Imagine that! Seeing the Lord without having to die first. These believers are blessed.
“Shall not prevent them which are asleep.”
But even though there will be some alive and waiting when Christ returns, they will have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep in Christ. Prevent might better be understood as “Shall not precede; anticipate; go before”[4] (Barnes). Even those who will have fallen asleep in Christ will share in the majesty of Christ’s return.
Come back tomorrow, and we’ll talk about the Lord’s return!
[1] Greek grammar, first-class condition, assumed to be true for the sake of argument.
[2] Guzik, ibid. Parousia means Christ’s second coming.
[3] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.