SERIES: COMFORTED TILL HIS COMING

TITLE: COMFORTED BY THEIR ENCOUNTER - part 2 - Events OfThe Encounter

TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-4:18

  • We already saw from the first part of the chapter: Educated For The Encounter – 4:1-2; Existing Until The Encounter– 4:3-12
  • Now, we will see some of the event that will surround the Rapture.
  • The word “Rapture” is not found in the Bible, but its truth is.
  • EX: Trinity
  • As Paul was writing this letter, the pagan world that surrounded this area of the world had no hope of life after death.
  • Typical grave: I was not; I became; I am not; I care not.
  • There was no assurance of life after death – much of how people live today.
  • The Thessalonian Christians had expressed their concern for their loved ones who had already died.
  • So, Paul encourages and comforts them about their future encounter.
  1. THE TRUTH OF THE RETURN – 4:13-15a
  2. The Death of the Saints – 4:13
  3. Paul uses the word “asleep,” and “sleep.”
  4. Jesus used this expression also: John 11:11-13.
  5. It is a reference to what happens with the body after death.
  6. 2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
  7. It is not the soul that sleeps at death, it is the body.
  8. Vs. 14makes it clear that those who die and know the Lord immediately go to be with Him.
  9. That is where your loved ones are today who knew the Lord as their personal Saviour.
  10. The Death of the Saviour – 4:14
  11. Died – It does not say sleep, but died, when speaking of Jesus.
  12. Because Jesus died, we who are saved need not fear death anymore!
  13. 1Cor 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  14. The atonement has been made, and the resurrection is the proof.
  15. The key is the phrase, “For IF we believe…”
  16. Our hope is not founded upon our good works or deed – but our belief in the Risen Jesus Christ, the sinless, sacrificial Son of God.
  17. The Declaration of the Scriptures – 4:15a
  18. “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord…”
  19. This was not Paul’s thought, hypothesis, or guess.
  20. But this was God’s plan and God has declared it to us today through His Word.
  21. Like the prophet of old who would thunder out his prophecy with authority by declaring, “Thus saith the Lord,” Paul reminded his readers that his authority was from God.
  22. When we witness/declare the Gospel, it is “Thus saith the Lord…by the word of the Lord!”
  23. THETIMETABLE OF THE RETURN – 4:15b-17
  24. The Living will notRestrict– 4:15b
  25. “Will not prevent them” –to come before, precede
  26. Barnes - the object seems to be to correct an opinion which prevailed among the Thessalonians that they who should survive to the coming of the Lord Jesus would have great advantages over those who had died.
  27. This thought was actually producing more sorrow amongst the believers because they thought their loved ones might miss out on something.
  28. But God is in control.
  29. Nothing can prevent or change His plans.
  30. The Lord will be Returning – 4:16
  31. The Return
  32. This is what is commonly referred to as the Rapture – snatch away – caught up vs 17.
  33. Three sounds will usher this event in – shout of Jesus, voice of the archangel, trump of God.
  34. The shout of Jesus could be similar to his shout and command of Lazarus to come forth from the grave (John 11:43).
  35. The archangel could be Michael – but the angels will share in the shouting and the victory of the rapture.
  36. Trump – 1 Cor 15:52 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.
  37. Trumpets were often used to announce arrivals of great people.
  38. All three of these will be audible sounds that we hear when the Lord returns for us.
  39. The Resurrection
  40. Rev. 20:1-6 – indicates that there will be two resurrections.
  41. The first will be the when the Lord returns in the clouds to call away His children, the born-again believers.
  42. This is referred to as the “first resurrection” or the “resurrection of life.”
  43. But at the end of Revelation, just before God sends down a new heaven and new earth, there will be the “Second resurrection,” or the “resurrection of judgment.”
  44. 1,007 years will pass between the two.
  45. It is up to us which one will appear at, but everyone will be at one of them.
  46. Loved-ones will be Reuniting– 4:17
  47. What a great reunion will be a part of one day in the clouds.
  48. Many Reunions are planned for years – this one will take place suddenly.
  49. The wicked, the lost, the unregenerate, will remain while we begin eternity with the Lord!
  50. THE TREATMENT OF THE RETURN – 4:18
  • CLOSE:
  • The Rapture and Reunion with the Lord and our loved ones is not something that should scare us or something that we dread.
  • We comfort each other with this thought when our loved ones go on before, and in our everyday living for the Lord.
  • While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through.
  • His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!"
  • They replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'The boss may come today.'"

FBC-W 11/7/10 PMPage 1 of 4