There are some important days in our life that we really look forward to, and that we want our loved ones to go through with us. These could be special holidays, and days like weddings or graduations, etc. Then if they are not there, it is sad and disappointing, and we feel like they have missed out on something special. Our Scripture today answers the question the early church had about the possibility of missing a very special event. Let’s see what this is all about.
In the middle of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica, he responded to a distressing concern that the believers had, something that was disturbing them to such a degree that he felt he had to answer them promptly in this letter. What was upsetting the Christians there? The Thessalonians, like Christians from all time, were eagerly awaiting what is arguably the greatest day we could experience as a Christian, that being when Jesus returns in the sky to call or snatch up all believers on earth into heaven. The Thessalonians were concerned, though, as to what would happen to those Christians who had already died. What would happen to them? Were they going to miss this most wonderful event?
Paul answers to assure believers that those who have already died will not miss this wonderful event. He refers to these believers as being those who have “fallen asleep” (vs. 13-14). The New Testament frequently uses this euphemism to refer to death. Jesus used it when talking about Jairus’ daughter (Matthew 9:24), and Luke, when writing Acts, says that about the first martyr, Stephen (Acts 7:60).
The Apostle then continues by describing what will happen when Jesus returns in the sky for His believers. Christians do not need to sorrow hopelessly when another believer dies, as if some great loss to that person has come. Just as Jesus died and rose again, so also will those who are believing in Him. They will rise and be taken to heaven (vs. 14). At death, the soul and spirit of a believer instantly go to be with Jesus (II Corinthians 5:8). The physical body goes back to dust. At the time of the Rapture, God will raise the physical body, making it a new and glorified body, and will unite it with its spirit and soul.
Those who are alive when the Rapture happens will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air, and their living bodies will become new and glorified (vs. 17). They will follow those who are dead, who will rise first (vs. 15-16). The believing dead will rise first. They will not miss this great event, as some of the Thessalonians feared. Instead, they will be the first to participate. Jesus will not actually return and set foot on earth at this time. He will only meet believers in the air (vs. 17). It will be several more years later when He will return physically to earth at His 2nd Coming, at that time to judge all.
Paul describes this moment as occurring with Jesus descending out of heaven with a shout, with a call from an archangel, and with a trumpet sound (vs 16). Jesus is eager to be with His believers, so much so that He calls us with a joyous shout, just like when we call out to someone in the distance we want to be with. One of the archangels will also call out to us to leave our earthly realm and be with the Savior. And there is a trumpet call. This is not one of the judgment trumpets spoken of in Revelation. It is similar to the trumpet mentioned in Exodus 19:16-19 which called God’s people to meet Him in worship.
The purpose of these verses is not to get people all worked up with making timetables or predictions as to when this will happen. The Bible says that no one will know ahead of time when this will happen, so setting a date is false and wrong. It could be in a year, twenty years, or tomorrow. We don’t know. These Scriptures are given to be an encouragement to us (vs. 18). Death is not the end of the story for a Christian. When Jesus returns, all believers, dead or alive, will be reunited, never to suffer or die again. Christians should be waiting expectantly for God to call us to be with Him. The day may seem like it will never happen, but God is never late, and He never forgets a promise.
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