1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Here Paul answers an apparent question regarding the status of those who die prior to our Lord’s second coming. What will happen to those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus?”
The answer is one that will bring comfort to all those who are Christians (cf. 18). The dead in Christ will be raised in the day of judgment!
The assurance Paul offers is established in the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In His resurrection, he claimed victory over death, and became our forerunner. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (20). This sentiment is expressed in verse 14 of our text.
Paul concisely states the coming events of that day:
- The Lord will descend from heaven;
- The dead in Christ will be resurrected;
- Those Christians who are alive will be transformed and taken;
- We will be forever in the presence of our Lord.
The text does not indicate a “rapture” of the saints; it is rather an explanation of the ultimate end of all Christians at the Judgment Day.
