1Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Return of Jesus for His People – Bible study

1Thess 4:13-18 The Return of Jesus for His People The doctrine which we call the rapture of the church is one of the cornerstone doctrines of my Christian faith, yet, it is one of the most doubted and attacked, not just from Bible skeptics or antagonists, but even by fellow believers. I understand some of the debate. The idea of a pre-millennial \#Rev 20:1-7\, pre-tribulational \#Rev 4-19\ return of Jesus, has not always been taught. One writer I was reading laid the blame on Dr. C.I. Scofield and his Bible notes as found in the Scofield Bible (published in 1909 and 1917). (Gary McDade, http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/ PeopleLoveToHaveItSo.htm) Mr. McDade seems to argue that the notion of a pre-millennial return of Jesus was virtually unheard of before the 1900. Of a truth, I would not argue that point. I have mentioned before that most of Bible prophecy was allegorized prior to the mid-1900s, in large part, because there was no nation of Israel until 1948 and Bible prophecy could not be fulfilled literally without an Israel. However, with the founding of Israel, many Christians understood their sin of doubting Gods Word and of miniaturizing Gods power. They re-read the Bible, accepting that God meant just what He said and supposing God to be powerful enough to do what He promised, and then the idea of a pre-millennial, pre- tribulational return of Jesus for His people took hold. Tonight, I will not even try to argue all the points, but lets look at what the Bible does promise concerning the return of Jesus for His church. I. The Problem A. \#1Thess 4:13\ – Paul was writing to help the church at Thessalonica understand what would happen to the Christians who had died. B. Jesus had promised a kingdom in which the saints would rule. Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. C. Everyone was expecting an almost immediate return of Jesus to set up His kingdom. D. \#Acts 1:1-6\ In fact, even the disciples were surprised that Jesus left at all. E. But now, some of the believers had died. "What happens to them?" II. \#1Thess 4:14-17\ Paul teaches that when Jesus returns, He will bring the dead with Him. A. Paul goes so far as to outline an order of events: 1. \#1Thess 4:14\ The Lord will return bringing those who have died in Him. 2. \#1Thess 4:16\ The Lord himself shall descend (into the earths atmosphere) with a shout and a sounding trumpet. a. Notice it is the Lord himself. He is not sending another. This strongly argues for a literal interpretation. b. As Jesus descends, there will be the shout of a strong voice like that of an archangel. c. A trumpet will also sound at the same time. 3. \#1Thess 4:16\ Then the bodies of the dead in Christ shall rise before anything else happens. a. It is said to happen FIRST, giving us the order. (1) Not only are the dead in Christ not to be left out, they will be empowered before anything else happens. (2) \#1Thess 4:15\ This is further stated by saying the living will not "prevent" or precede those who are sleeping in Jesus. b. Notice also, it is the dead in Christ. (1) The unsaved will not be raised at this time. (2) I do not think the saved Old Testament saints will be raised at this time. (3) I read in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, that we fundamental Christians are supposed to believe that all the saints, both those who died before the incarnation of Christ and those who died after the incarnation of Christ, will rise at the rapture. (4) At the present, that is not what I believe. 4. \#1Thess 4:17\ Then the living shall be "caught up" with them in the clouds to meet the Lord. a. After the dead are raised, then the resurrection power of God works on those who are alive. b. We are taken away, caught up. c. The Greek word is used some 14 times in the New Testament. d. It always has the idea of being caught or removed, usually suddenly and with power. e. It is the Latin form of this word from which we get our word RAPTURE, meaning to be suddenly caught up by the Lord. f. The fact that we use a word that is not strictly found in the Bible does not make this a man-made doctrine, just a man- made term. g. If it offends you to use a term not found in the Bible, call it the "catching away," for it all means the same thing. B. \#1Thess 4:17\ Once this "catching away" takes place, all Christians will be removed from this planet and will forever stay with the Lord. C. Whether you like the term RAPTURE or not, whether you agree with me on the timing of the rapture or not, if you are going to believe the Bible, you are going to have to take this passage as a literal promise and accept three major truths: 1. Jesus is coming back! 2. When He comes, all the saved in Christ are going to be changed and removed. 3. What is going to take place on this world afterward isnt going to be pleasant! D. In visiting with Evelyn Burt this week, she told me that she had reminded her children of the Lords coming not too long ago. Their reply was, "Aw, Mom. People have been saying that for years!" 1. Even though people have been saying it for hundreds of years, it is still true. 2. But what I find interesting is that the worlds reaction to the return of Jesus fulfills prophecy. 2Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. E. The Bible is either true or not. 1. If it is not, those who believed it have nothing to lose. 2. If it is, those who do not believe it have nothing to gain. F. \#1Cor 15:35-58\ gives more details on the physical change the return of the Lord will have on the bodies of those raptured. III. \#1Thess 5:1-2\ We have no idea WHEN the Lord will return. A. Unless I have erred, I have never told you Jesus will come soon, because the Bible doesnt say He will. 1. I have said that I BELIEVE He will come soon. 2. The Bible does say that Jesus will come quickly \#Rev 3:11\. a. That does not means He will come immediately. b. It means that when He comes, it will happen suddenly, fast, instantly. B. Concerning the timing of Jesus coming, the Bible does say: 1. \#1Thess 5:2\ He will come like a thief in the nightwith no advance warning. 2. \#1Thess 5:3\ That people in general, will think times are safe and peaceful. a. That doesnt necessarily mean there wont be any problems or wars. b. It could just mean people are more hopeful. c. Jesus return might actually be after a great catastrophe, either a natural event or a man-made one, like a war. d. Mankind tends to be hopeful after an extremely bad experience. 3. \#1Thess 5:3\ The Bible indicates that those who are left will have sudden destruction. a. This text does not say the tribulation will start, but I believe it will. b. It does say destruction will come. IV. The Bible does give the believers of this hour a challenge. A. \#1Thess 5:4-8\ Stay awake and watch. B. It is implied that to be asleep, not watching, unaware, when Jesus comes is a bad thing. 1. The Bible does not say that if you are not watching, you will not be taken. 2. It does seem to say that if you are not watching, you will not be doing the commanded work and thus will not get the expected reward. 3. Read all of Matthew 25. C. What would be the work a watching Christian should render? 1. He would be right with God. Knowing the Lord will comes encourages us to stay right. 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 2. He would be witnessing to and warning others. May the Lord help us to be watching when He comes.