The Dead in Christ Will Rise: 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.

The Thessalonians had a question. Some believers had died since Paul left. What about them? When Jesus returned, would the dead miss out?

Those who sleep in death. Koimao—the verb for falling asleep. The Christian euphemism. Death was sleep—temporary, awaiting waking.

We do not want you to be uninformed. Paul would answer their question.

So that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind. Grief was permitted. Expected. But not hopeless grief. Not the grief of those who have no hope. Pagans grieved with despair—death was the end. Christians grieved with hope—death was a doorway.

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.

The foundation. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. The creed. The historical event. The gospel.

And so we believe. The logic flowed. Because Jesus rose, so will they. God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. The dead believers would come with Jesus when he returned. Not left behind. Not missing out. With Jesus.

According to the Lord's own 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.

According to the Lord's own word. Jesus himself had taught this. Perhaps a saying not recorded in the Gospels. Or perhaps the Spirit's direct revelation. Either way—authoritative.

We who are still alive. Paul included himself. The expectation was imminent return. Who are left until the coming of the Lord. The parousia. Some would be alive.

Will certainly not precede. Ou me phthaso—emphatically will not go before. The living would not have advantage over the dead. The dead weren't second-class.

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.

The Lord himself. Not a delegate. Not an angel. Jesus personally.

Will come down from heaven. Katabaino—descend. From heaven. The direction was clear.

With a loud command. Keleusma—the shout of command, the military order. With the voice of the archangel. Angelic proclamation accompanying. With the trumpet call of God. The shofar of divine summons. The sounds of the King arriving.

And the dead in Christ will rise first. First. Before anything else. The graves would open. The bodies would rise. The dead believers—first in line.

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.

After that. Sequence mattered. First the dead rise. Then the living.

Will be caught up. Harpazo—snatched, seized, raptured. The violent speed of divine action.

Together with them. The dead and the living reunited. Together.

In the clouds. The meeting place. The imagery of divine presence.

To meet the Lord in the air. Apantesis—the technical term for a delegation going out to meet a visiting dignitary and escorting him back. The saints would meet Christ and escort him to earth.

And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The conclusion. The eternal state. With the Lord. Forever. The separation would end. The presence would be permanent.

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The application. These words were not for speculation but for comfort. Encourage one another. Parakaleo—the same word for comfort.

The dead in Christ were not lost.

They would rise first.

The living would follow.

All together would meet the Lord.

And forever be with him.

This was hope.

This was comfort.

This was why Christians grieved differently.

Death was sleep.

And the sleepers would wake.