Gather together with Jesus Christ

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Hoofdstuk 3: Verzamelen met Jezus Christus.

Previous chapter: The Rapture or admittance with Christ

Being carried away with Jesus

(1Th 4:14 CEV) We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died.[1]

We cannot be in ignorance of what happens after death. (1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18)[2] By Jesus those that will pass away (die) shall be able to come to God. By Jehovah's word we can, as it happens, in life we’ll remain if we adopt it, believe in it and live to it.

In Christ Jesus we die, but we shall also live. If we believe that the first child of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, is the promised Saviour, the anointed and the beloved begotten son of God, can clean our sins at our baptism into Jesus’ name and become reborn to live a faithful live. By Jesus sacrifice on the torture stake, the sentence has been paid for our sins and the only consequence of the original sin has come to us by Adam and Eve wich is natural dead[3].

We cannot escape death.[4] Every one of us will die. But these that believe in Jesus and comply with his rules by loving only the One True God and maintaining His Commands[5], will be in death as if in a deep sleep. They will be unconscious, unable to act or to think[6]. They do not go to heaven at death, but turn into dust[7], waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus to be allowed to stand up from the death to face judgement, and then to be allowed in the Kingdom of God.[8]

In a certain way one might say that the deceased in fact never dies but sleeps[9], as John makes this clear that the believers will hear the voice of Jesus in their resting place, the sepulchre. But then also other people will recognize that voice.[10]

When Jesus was here on this earth he told his apostles that he was going to return.[11] At his return we also shall recognise each other and be recognised. God shall bring the dead again to Jesus and lead them back.[12] By the power of God those who are in a state of rest shall be woken to this world and God shall take them with Him.[13] God shall lead them to Him.[14]

In his letter to the Thessalonians Paul wants to put his co-believers at ease. He also asks them to comfort one other and to encourage each other when a beloved brother or sister dies. The same love for God and His creation must unite those believers during their life[15] and has to make them one when Christ Jesus comes back and will take the reign of the kingship. For that, we have put our hope on the resurrection of Christ, because we have learned the Good News that Christ Jesus has become to live again.[16] Those that believe that Jesus returned from death can make him be known, and can find in their life meaning because they also realise that their sins have been forgiven. Those believers who died will not be irrecoverably lost. If we have only established our hope on Christ for this life, our hearts has to bleed more than for the others. Then we have to pity ourselves more. But this fortunately is not the way! Christ has been made living again[17], as a first of many that died. Because such as death has come by men[18], also new life has come thanks to this man. Jesus provides for the resurrection and life.[19] They that believe in the Messiah adopt Jesus as the way to follow that brings truth and life[20]. All people, as an offspring of Adam - die, so followers of Christ will be made alive. From substance, out of dust, we will stand up and shall be able to recognise he who is the Highest.[21] Everyone on his turn. Christ himself has become alive first and has become the firstborn of the dead this way[22]. And when he returns, all that belong to him shall become alive (or raised from dead)[23], even when they have already died as Adam[24]. But all people shall have to appear in front of the bench at the right hand of God to be judged[25]. Afterwards comes the end. When Christ has eliminated all enemies, authority and power, he will transfer his kingship to God the Father.[26]

As believers we may not let our heart to become burdened, because we can trust God and his son whom He has sent to this earth. We believe that Jesus has been resurrected from the dead and has risen into heaven, where his Father lives. He has gone to that place to fix everything for us and he has promised us to return, when he will be ready with that. Jesus will return to raise us up. Also he has given the promise to us that we always might be with him.[27] To believe in this makes it possible for us to consider that death is as something we must let come over us as an innocent sleep. And so we have to be ready and prepared when we will rest waiting for him.[28]

But we do have to be aware that not everyone there after that resurrection from death can hope for eternal life. In Matthew we find “then there will be two on the land: one is been taken, the other one left behind” (Mt 24:40 after Canisius translation)[29] There shall be believers next to those who wanted not to believe, and those savages beside them, and these then must face the truth and must carry the responsibility of their actions and choice. For them it will be too late.[30] They have had a full life to consider themselves and to make the correct choice. At the judgement day it shall be to late still to become even rapidly from atheist or from idols admirer, God’s darlings. For cowards, flinched, faint-hearted, whoremongers, assassins, perverted, depraved, callously, haughty, obstinate deniers and antagonists of God then wait only the Second and eternal dead[31]. Expiring to nothing. As it happens, there shall nothing be ugly or bad in Gods Kingdom. Only people, who are in the Lambs book of can enter the Kingdom.[32]

At Jesus second coming and at our resurrection from death from that dust new people must be made. No matter how they were remembered (young or old, sick or healthy) they would be recognisable. We all will recognise each other and shall be able to share each other's love. To make this possible God will reform our body, the mortal body of the past, in another conformation. Paul revealed a secret with saying that we will not all die firstly. As it happens, everyone will not be destroyed at Armageddon. There shall be people able to survive this terrible battle. They also will be transformed. All those to be judged will be changed.[33]

However today we are still not at that point of change. We do not know hour and day of the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. That makes that we live in expectation, anticipation and sometimes are concerned and confused about our future. We are our now in the ordinary earthly dwelling, the tent of desire, where we are surrounded by all kinds of tribulations. But already too gladly we would love to see now that we already have the advantages of that celestial paradise. This must be our main hope in our life.[34] For the moment we can only try to put on the garment of the salvation[35] and to try to become more like Christ. We can pray to God that we show Gods love to those around us. Putting on the armour of Christ we can as brethren and sisters take care that we form one body of Christ here and also offer our body as a sacrificial offering for this materialistic world, to find the spiritual world of God.[36]

Let us therefore look out and listen for the sound of the last trumpet because that will take place in an instant, in a twinkling of an eye. After all, the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised for judgement and will be changed.[37]

We are grateful that Christ has died for us and that God has brought him to life to become king and Lord over the dead and the living.[38] Let us go to Christ[39] plus look forward to that moment that we also will be brought back to life and to be reunited with Christ.[40] Do not let us be saddened and let us hope that we might be one of the chosen ones, whom will be collected from all over the world, from all times.[41]

Let us for this reason take the symbols of bread and wine as a reminder as it were the flesh of Jesus to eat and the blood of his body to drink for the memory of his sacrifice and for perpetuation of our hope to a new life in the resurrection of the dead.[42]

Next chapter: Raptured in clouds.

Nederlandse versie van hoofdstuk 2: Verzamelen met Jezus Christus.

[1] Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (καὶ ο θεὸς τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ του Ι ησου α ξει σὺν αυ τω).

[2] “But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:13-18 ASV)

[3] “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro 6:23 ASV)

“For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.” (1Co 15:21 ASV)

[4] “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity.” (Ec 3:19 ASV)

[5] “And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.” (Joh 12:50 ASV)

[6] “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.” (Ps 146:4 ASV)

[7] “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Ge 3:19 ASV)

“and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.” (Ec 12:7 ASV)

[8] “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.” (Ps 104:29 ASV)

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.” (Ps 146:4 ASV)

“For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” (Ec 3:19-20 ASV)

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Ec 9:5 ASV)

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.” (Ec 9:10 ASV)

[9] “and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (Joh 11:26 ASV)

[10] “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,” (Joh 5:28 ASV)

[11] “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.” (Joh 14:3 ASV)

[12] HSVNTPS & GNB.

“For if we believe that Yahshua died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahshua will God bring with him.” (1Th 4:14 KJBPNV)

“But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming.” (1Co 15:23 ASV)

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming.” (1Co 15:22-23 ASV)

[13] “For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God’s power.” (1Th 4:14 BBE) “do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died.” (1Th 4:14 CJB)

[14] “Want als wij geloven dat Jezus is gestorven en is opgestaan, moeten wij ook geloven dat God door Jezus de doden naar zich toe zal leiden, samen met Jezus zelf.” (1Th 4:14 NBV) = God by Jesus leads the dead to Him. “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.” (1Th 4:14 NIV)

[15] “But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;” (1Th 4:9 ASV)

[16] “Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain. Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.” (1Co 15:12-24 ASV)

[17] “whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Ac 2:24 ASV)

[18] “Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:––” (Ro 5:12 ASV)

[19] “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;” (Joh 11:25 ASV)

[20] “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Joh 14:6 ASV)

“And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, [even] Jesus Christ.” (Joh 17:3 ASV)

“for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (Ac 17:28 ASV)

[21] “Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is [as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.” (Isa 26:19 ASV)

“And I will put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it and performed it, saith Jehovah.” (Eze 37:14 ASV)

[22] “and from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;” (Re 1:5 ASV)

[23] “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” (Joh 5:28-29 ASV)

[24] “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1Co 15:22 ASV)

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;” (Joh 11:25 ASV)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro 6:23 ASV)

[25] “but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2Pe 3:7 ASV)

“I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:” (2Ti 4:1 ASV)

“And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and [the time] to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.” (Re 11:18 ASV)

[26] “And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” (Da 7:27 ASV)

[27] “Let not your heart be troubled: {1} believe in God, believe also in me. {1) Or [ye believe in God]} In my Father’s house are many {1} mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. {1) Or [abiding–places]} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.” (Joh 14:1-3 ASV)

[28] Parable of the ten virgins.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:1-13 ASV)

[29] “Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:” (Mt 24:40 ASV)

[30] Read the parables concerning judgment and future: 1. The brides maids (Mt 25:1 - 13); 2. The wise and faithful servants (Mt 24:45 - 51; Lu 12: 42-48); 3. The lord gone on travel (Mr 13: 34-37)

[31] “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Re 2:11 ASV)

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Re 20:6 ASV)

“And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, [even] the lake of fire.” (Re 20:14 ASV)

“But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” (Re 21:8 ASV)

“Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,” (1Co 6:9 ASV)

“They are inclosed in their own fat: With their mouth they speak proudly.” (Ps 17:10 ASV)

[32] “and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Re 21:27 ASV)

[33] “Behold, I tell you a mystery: {1} We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, {1) Or [We shall not all etc]}” (1Co 15:51 ASV)

[34] “For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:” (2Co 5:2 ASV)

[35] “I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom {1} decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. {1) Heb [decketh himself as a priest]}” (Isa 61:10 ASV)

[36] “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service.” (Ro 12:1 ASV)

“for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.” (1Co 6:20 ASV)

“But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.” (1Co 12:18 ASV)

[37] “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.” (1Co 15:51-52 ASV)

[38] “For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” (Ro 14:9 ASV)

[39] “No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.” (Joh 6:44 ASV)

[40] “because we know that he who raised the Lord Yeshua will also raise us with Yeshua and bring us along with you into his presence.” (2Co 4:14 CJB)

[41] “And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Mt 24:31 ASV)

[42] “He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Joh 6:54 ASV)