Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Thessalonians

The Translation of the Church (4:13-18)

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 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 own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till 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 air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1.    Christians were being persecuted, put to death or dying from other causes before the return of the Lord. Paul addresses these concerns. This teaching gives assurance and comfort that the bodies of all Christians will be perfected and made like Jesus regardless of when or if death occurs. Those who die before the return of Jesus will be resurrected and those who are alive will be changed. Christians will be united with Jesus when he returns. (1 Cor 15:35-50)

2.    Paul refers to those who have died as those who have fallen asleep. This expression refers to the body and not the spirit. Death does not affect the spirit which remains alive. (2 Cor 5:8; Heb 9:27-28; Rev 6:9-11)

3.    It is not clear when this event will occur. If it occurs before the tribulation described in Revelation, then there will be a period of time before his thousand-year reign of Jesus on the earth. (Rev 20:4-6) If it occurs after the tribulation, then Jesus will immediately return to the earth and begin his thousand-year reign.

4.    How does this teaching give encouragement to live like Jesus?