Thesis: To teach the hearer the consoling nature contained within the hope of the Lord’s 2nd coming.
Text: Acts 17:1-10a; 1 Thess 4:13-18
Act 17:1 Now when they (Paul and Silas) had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Act 17:2 and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Act 17:3 opening and alleging (explaining and demonstrating from the OT scriptures) that it behooved the Christ to suffer (Isa 53), and to rise again from the dead (Ps 16); and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ (2 Sam 7:12-13; Dan 7:13-14) .
Act 17:4 And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Act 17:5 But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble (market place), and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.
Act 17:6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Act 17:7 whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Act 17:8 And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
Act 17:9 And when they had taken security (pledge; bond) from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Act 17:10a And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea:
Introduction,
What we just read occurred during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue in Thessalonica, and for 3 Sabbaths they reasoned from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ; “some” Jews were persuaded, “a great multitude” of devout Greeks (God fearers), and “quite a few” of the chief (leading) women were “persuaded” (v 4); the KJV has “believed,” here, this word is translated “obey” in Rom 2:8; Gal 3:1; 5:7; Heb 3:17; Ja 3:3. Biblical belief, biblical faith, is always that which manifests itself by actions, it is a that faith demonstrates itself as seen the Hebrews chapter 11, which is commonly referred to as “the hall of faith,” this word (persuaded) is likely a one word summary for them hearing, believing and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is the start of the church at Thessalonica, but as you can see this did not sit well with the Jews that believed not, it seems that when the truth of the gospel is presented trouble oftentimes erupts. The Jews hired some lowly characters and basically ran Paul and Silas out of town, but not before this congregation was established.
Yet Paul was very concerned about these new Christians, thus he sent Timothy back there when they got to Athens (1 Thess 3:1-2), Timothy went there, then returned back to Paul when he was in Corinth (Acts 18:11), and gave him his report concerning the newly established congregation, they were being persecuted, yet the were enduring and teaching others about the gospel.
But there was a problem at the young congregation, they had a misunderstanding concerning the 2nd coming of Christ, and this is the basic purpose behind 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
The misunderstanding, which was propagated by some was that “those who had believed and obeyed the gospel and died without the 2nd coming of Christ coming to pass, were without the hope of heaven.”
Evidently some converts had passed on since Paul was there and others grieved because of this matter.
We need to remember they didn’t have what we have today in God’s completed revelation to man, even those that had miraculous gifts (as implied in 1 Thess 5:19-20) only had pieces of the truth, and not its entirety, and that coupled with Paul’s inability to remain there and teach them more fully probably aided in this misconception.
And our passage (1 Thess 4:13-18) deal’s directly with Paul’s inspired teaching on the matter; remember what Paul taught was that which he received by revelation from Christ (Gal 1:11-12), in fact every scripture is inspired of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), as men were borne along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:20-21).
Therefore even though these new Christians didn’t know it all, even though they were persecuted because of their faith, even though it seems like they have been left high and dry, there was hope. That is one of the driving forces behind the religion of Jesus Christ, it gives us hope, the grave is not the end, as many assert, God Who cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), has promised us this is not the case.
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal (the ages, or world began);
Yet even though all continue to exist beyond this life (Luke 16:19-31), this hope is not for all, but only for those “in Christ,” (Eph 1:3) Who is the only way to the Father Who is in heaven, thus in this lesson we will look at
1) The Christian’s “Hope Promised” (1 Thess 4:13-15a)
2) The Christian’s “Hope Realized” (1 Thess 4:15b-17a)
3) The Christian’s “Hope Eternalized” (1 Thess 4:17b-18)
I. THE CHRISTIAN’S “HOPE PROMISED” (1 Thess 4:13-15a)
A. (v 13a)
1Th 4:13a But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall (are) asleep;
“Ignorance” here is not meant to be a derogatory term, it refers to “a lack of knowledge” and is a major problem among the children of God, often serious consequences are the result, for it is written (Hos 4:6a; 2 Thess 1:8)…
Hos 4:6a My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
2Th 1:7b at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
This is amplified even more seeing that Christianity is a taught religion (Mt 28:20; John 6:45).
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Yet I don’t believe that if one does not have an accurate understanding concerning the 2nd coming of Christ that it will directly cost them their soul, but this misconception may lead to other problems which might well do that.
Some of the members at Thessalonica believed that Christ was going to appear at any time, thus they quit their jobs, were living off others and basically becoming slothful busybodies, which did put them in conflict to a number of commands (2 Thess 3:10-12; 1 Tim 5:8; Tit 3:2).
2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.
2Th 3:11 For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
1Ti 5:8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
Tit 3:2 to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.
Christians need to learn, and grow into the likeness of God by applying that learning (2 Pet 3:18; Col 3:10).
2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Col 3:10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:
The only place where one can obtain that food which is needed for this growth is God’s word, not in the wisdom nor the creeds of men (1 Pet 2:2; Rom 15:4).
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
This word translated “fall asleep” here is “koimao” Paul uses it 10 times in the NT, and in his inspired writings it always refers to the state of physical death.
This does not teach the false doctrine of soul sleeping, the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16, Paul’s trip to Paradise in 2 Cor 12 and Jesus’s preaching to the spirits in Hades (1 Pet 3-4) all teach us that individuals who enter into the Hadean realm (or Heavenly places) are completely aware of their circumstance, and are able to see, to remember, to communicate, to feel pain and comfort, and to worry.
I believe that this allusion of death being referred to as a “sleep” comes from Ps 13:3 . . .
Psa 13:3 Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
The reason this type of language is used of the dead is for the fact that the spiritless body lies motionless as if it were asleep, seemingly peaceful, but the body without the spirit (which goes back to God, Who places it in Hades) is nothing more than an empty shell soon to become dust, until that Last Day.
B. (v 13b)
1Th 4:13b that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
Many of the pagan cultures did not believe in a bodily resurrection, and those without Christ, are indeed without hope (John 14:6; Eph 2:12).
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Eph 2:12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
The Christian’s hope of the resurrection unto eternal life is a major factor in prompting us to faithfulness, Peter wrote (1 Pet 1:3-4; 1 Cor 15:23) . . .
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
Yet we need to remember that “all” mankind will be resurrected on That Day (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which ALL that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 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.
And Paul stated in Acts 24:15 . . .
Act 24:15a that there shall be A resurrection BOTH of the just and unjust.
This verse states “a resurrection” (singular) “both of the just and the unjust” (together)
Yet in our text (1 Thess 4:13-18), as also seen in 1 Cor 15, Paul is only addressing the Christians part thereof, who indeed have a great hope (the resurrection of life), he wrote of the resurrection in (Rom 8:18-19) . . .
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed toward us.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.
C. (v 14a)
1Th 4:14a For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
This statement lies at the very foundation of Christianity (1 Cor 15:1-4).
1Co 15:1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
1Co 15:2 by which also ye are (being) saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
If this fact is not true then we who strive and struggle as Christians are in a pitiful condition (1 Cor 15:12-19).
1Co 15:12 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?
1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:
1Co 15:14 and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.
1Co 15:15 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.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:
1Co 15:17 and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1Co 15:19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
But, of course we know the truth of God on this matter (1 Cor 15:20-23).
1Co 15:20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
In fact this is one of the essential pieces of knowledge which one must believe in order to become a Christian (Rom 10:9).
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
Jesus Christ (a Member of the Godhead; Col 2:9) had to become flesh and blood in order that He could die (Heb 2:14, because God can’t be killed), and through His shed blood in His death (John 19:34), He became that complete, all sufficient sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Phili 2:5-8), for without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins (Heb 9:22), thus no reconciliation back to God (Isa 59:2; Rom 5:6-11).
And He was raised on the 3rd day, appeared to selected individuals over a period of 40 days, and ascended into heaven, He paved the way, He is our forerunner into heaven (Heb 6:18-20; turn there).
Heb 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
Heb 6:20 whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
This is a fulfillment of what Jesus stated in John 14:2 . . .
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions (abiding-places); if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Through His death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven is how He prepared that place for those following, imitating Him, Heaven is a prepared place. For a prepared people (John 14:3-4).
Joh 14:3 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 14:4 And whither I go, ye know the way.
We need to keep ourselves prepared and properly waiting for the coming of the Lord, by continuing to imitate Him (1 Cor 11:1) in the Way, the Faith, in order that we don’t find ourselves castaways from eternity with God, this was also a concern with Paul, he stated (1 Cor 9:27).
1Co 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage (subjection): lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected (a castaway).
Jesus stated concerning this event in the parable of the ten virgins (Mt 25:1-13), wherein 5 weren’t ready.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.
D. (v 14b)
1Th 4:14b even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
When Jesus comes on That Day known only by the Father (Mt 24:35), He will come with the angels (2 Thess 1:7) but not the angels only, He will also bring the spirits, the souls of all that died throughout the ages (those who partook of the 1st resurrection, and also all the souls of all who are presently in the Hadean realm; believing and unbelieving alike; Rev 20:13b; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15)
Rev 20:13b and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them:
[Even though our text is purposed to console Christians, thus they are directly being referenced as this event pertains to them]
1Th 4:15a For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
Gal 1:11 For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
Again, in fact every scripture is inspired of God (2 Tim 3:16), as men were borne along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:20-21).
The bible gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), it gives us everything we need to be complete in the eyes of God (2 Tim 3:17).
Peter also affirms this fact to the Lord when many of His disciples left Him for the reason that His teachings were too difficult (John 6:67-68).
Joh 6:67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
The bottom line is this, it took a long time and much perseverance to become like the world, and its going to be just as hard to get back to the point where God wants us, Jesus says (Luke 13:24),
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
But all things are possible with God, it is doable (Mt 19:25-26).
Mat 19:25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
For He Who cannot lie promised that these things are so (Tit 1:2).
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
With these things in view, let us remember the inspired words of Peter (look at 2 Pet 1:5-11; 3:13)…
2Pe 1:5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
2Pe 1:11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2Pe 3:13 . . . according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
g. This is the Christian’s “Hope Promised” again (Tit 1:2) . . .
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
II. THE CHRISTIAN’S “HOPE REALIZED” (1 Thess 4:15b-17a)
A. (v 15b)
1Th 4:15b that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.
There is no reason to worry about the faithful who are asleep, they are blessed (Rev 14:13).
Rev 14:13 And I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
The fact is that those who died faithful “in Christ” not only are not lost, but we learn here that they will be the first to enjoy the realized promises of God.
This verse also teaches us that there will be a generation of mankind that will not experience physical death as spoken of in 1 Cor chapter 15 (1 Cor 15:51).
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Let us keep in mind that death is not something to be feared, we have been delivered from that by Jesus (Heb 2:14-15), but rather it is a transition, from one realm to another (Lk 16:19-31), in fact for the faithful Christ follower, it should be looked at as gain, not loss, getting ever closer to our God, as it is written (Phili 1:21) . . .
Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
1Th 4:16a For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
Act 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
1. How will that be?
a. “A cloud received Him” (Acts 1:9) corresponds with “in the clouds” (v 17 in our text; 1 Thess 4:17) . . .
b. “Into heaven“(Acts 1:10) corresponds with “In the air” (v 17 in our text; 1 Thess 4:17).
2. When He comes He will also “shout” as He did in the raising of Lazarus, but with this shout all the dead shall rise (John 11:43-44a; 5:28-29a).
Joh 11:43 And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth!
Joh 11:44a He that was dead came forth,
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29a and shall come forth!
a. The voice of the archangel (the ruling angel; Michael) will summon the angels of His power that will accompany Christ on that great Day (2 Thess 1:7b).
2Th 1:7b at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
b. The “trump of God” here speaks of the “trumpet of God” as seen in (1 Cor 15:52).
1Co 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.
c. A trumpet signifies and emphasizes a Divine announcement, and in this case that of the resurrection, and no one will misunderstand this announcement, a shout and a trumpet blast are coupled together in other places in the scriptures (Jos 6:2; Judges 7:21-22), it is purposed to bring about the fear of God (Ex 19:16-19; Heb 12:19), we need to remember that those not in Christ are also included in this event, even though they are not the focus of our immediate text, but are seen just a few verses down (1 Thess 5:3) . . .
1Th 5:3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
Most unbelievers spend most of their lives doing “their” will, striving for things of “this world” on the Last Day God will take it all away from them, while the Christian instead of leaving their love they will be going to their treasures on That Day, that is why the Lord states (Mt 6:19-21; Luke 12:33) . . .
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
Luk 12:33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. (ESV)
Also on That Day the unbelieving and the unknowing will finally fear God, and they will wish they had believed and obeyed Him during this life, which God gave them
C. (v 16b)
1Th 4:16b and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
The dead will be raised first, before the living are changed, yet, in 1 Cor 15:52 we learn that it will all take place very quickly (1 Cor 15:52).
1Co 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.
Thus we must conclude that those souls of the dead faithful must somewhere in these few verses be reunited with their bodies, maybe the Lord sends them down into their decomposed bodies and thus they are changed, or the decomposed bodies are raised soul-less, changed and raised and reunited with their spirits in the air with the Lord.
D. (v 17a)
1Th 4:17a 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:
I want you to take note that our Lord does not set foot on this earth, we are caught up in the clouds to “meet” the Lord “in the air.”
There is no passage of scripture, properly understood that teaches Christ will come upon this earth again, rather the scriptures teach Jesus can’t rule upon the throne of David while on earth (Jer 22:30), and the scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).
Jer 22:30 Thus saith Jehovah, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no more shall a man of his seed prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling in Judah.
In fact the scriptures teach that when Christ was resurrected almost 2,000 years ago He, at that time, began His rule on the spiritual throne of David (look at Acts 2:29-31).
Act 2:29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;(2 Sam 7:12-13)
Act 2:31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (Dan 7:13-14)
And this is affirmed by Christ’s declaration of sovereign rule in Mt 28:18.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
This is when His 1,000 year reign began (Rev 20:4), wherein is contained the spiritual resurrection of all that believe and obey the gospel on earth (turn to John 5:25; Eph 2:4-6).
Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
Eph 2:4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),
Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:
Yet this (Eph 2:4-6) is not the 1st resurrection seen in Rev 20:4-5 (as some assert), this is reserved only for those who died for the cause of Christ and who did not commit the sin of emperor worship, and it (Rev 20:4-5) is speaking of their “souls” not their bodies, these (souls) are literally “with Him” at this time in Heaven awaiting the general [2nd] resurrection when they in like manner will receive their incorruptible bodies (Rev 20:4-6) . . .
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 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 (literally in heaven where this vision is taking place implied in v 4 by the seeing of thrones).
Yet all Christians are priests (1 Pet 2:5, 9) and they are presently ruling on this earth (Rev 5:10).
Rev 5:10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth.
1Pe 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
But when the Lord comes again, it will not be to set up and rule over an earthly kingdom, but rather to gather all the realms together (those in Heaven, in Hades and those on earth) and hand the kingdom back to the Father (1 Cor 15:23-24, 28).
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
1Co 15:24 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 15:28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.
At the 2nd coming of Christ, several things will be accomplished . . .
i. Hades will be emptied and destroyed (Rev 20:13-14),
ii. The souls of the dead will be reunited with their raised imperishable bodies (1 Thess 4:16)
iii. The living will be changed (1 Cor 15:52),
iv. The physical universe as we know it will be destroyed (2 Pet 3:7-12),
v. All mankind will stand before Christ in the Judgment (2 Cor 5:10) and that final separation will be made (Mt 25:46). . .
vi. The unrighteous will be cast in Gehenna (the lake of fire; Rev 20:15),
vii. The righteous will be ushered into Heaven (the new heavens and the new earth, Rev 21:1- 22:5)
This is the Christians “Hope Realized”
III. THE CHRISTIAN’S “HOPE ETERNALIZED” (1 Thess 4:17b-18)
A. (v 17b)
1Th 4:17b and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The word “so” here is translated from the word “houto” it means “in this manner,” thus this is saying “in this manner shall we ever be with the Lord.”
In what manner? Changed, in the air, in the clouds, in Heaven, with the Lord for ever and ever (turn to Rev 21:1-7) . . .
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.
Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, AND GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, and be their God:
Rev 21:4 and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh (continues to overcome) SHALL INHERIT (future tense) these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
(Look at Rev 22:1-5) . . .
Rev 22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Rev 22:2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were (past tense) for the healing of the nations.
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no curse any more (Gen 3): and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
Rev 22:4 AND THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE; and his name shall be on their foreheads.
Rev 22:5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: AND THEY SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER.
B. (v 18)
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
There is great comfort in these words, yet there are some things that should be considered . . .
1. All must prepare, for Christ himself warns (in Mt 24:44-51; turn there) . . .
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so DOING.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
Mat 24:48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;
Mat 24:49 and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not,
Mat 24:51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
a. Therefore we can’t call Him Lord and not be “doing” His will (Luke 6:46) . . .
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
b. Or this will be our lot (Mt 25:30) . . .
Mat 25:30 And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
c. For “all” will be raised, the question is where will we spend eternity (John 5:28-29; Mt 25:46)
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 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.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
But if we are properly waiting, as faithful servants, then the Lord will not be ashamed of us and we will hear those greatly desired words (Mt 25:21) . . .
Mat 25:21 . . .Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
And then we will be greatly rewarded (Mt 25:34) . . .
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Thus all should be comforted in this, admonished (warned) to live holy lives, approved of God, looking forward to the coming of the Lord (look at 2 Pet 3:10-13).
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Based upon our faith in the promises of God, Who cannot lie (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18).
And upon our faith in Jesus Christ, through Whom God begat us again unto a living hope (1 Cor 4:15; 1 Pet 1:3-4).
But what about those that don’t believe and obey? Where is the comfort concerning them? In our context (1 Thess 5:3) it states . . .
1Th 5:3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
Here’s their end (2 Thess 1:8-9) . . .
2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
2Th 1:9 who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction (eternal ruin, damnation, everlasting pains) from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
That’s where Christians come in, we know the terror of the Lord (2 Cor 5:11), thus we are commanded to take the gospel to the world (Mk 16:15-16; Mt 28:19-20a).
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you:
And those that don’t believe and obey from the heart (Rom 6:17-18), will wish they did for an eternity, yet today is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2), and here’s the same plan that has been revealed for almost 2,000 years, and its just as powerful as it was that day the Peter preached it on that first Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ . . .
One must . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine resurrected Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24); and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6). This is where you enter into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), at the beginning of it, not the end, Jesus said . . .
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
Yet not faith only (Ja 2:24), demon like faith (Ja 2:19), God’s will is individuals continue “being saved”
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life
4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as did the eunuch, he proclaimed. . .
Act 8:37 . . . that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34,) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
This is the point that we are to be dead to self and alive to God imitating Christ (Rom 6:3-13).
6) And live a faithful and holy life (Rev 2:10; 1 Per 1:15), determined to follow God’s divine instructions, thereby demonstrating that living hope in the promise of the resurrection and eternity with God and the righteous, setting our sights on heavenly things (Col 3:1-4), while serving our God with His earthly blessings (Mt 6:19-21; Luke 12:33), getting closer to our treasure with each passing day.