QB33 Unravelling the Rapture (Part 4)

Since the passage in 1 Thess 4:13-18 is the core passage that teaches on the rapture and is used by both the pre-tribulation and non-pre-tribulation view, it would be worthwhile taking a little time to digest what Paul is teaching and why. 1 Thess 4:13 gives us the answer to the ‘why’ question, for he writes: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. Here we see the reason why Paul writes the rapture passage, because he doesn’t want the Thessalonians to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep, otherwise, Paul writes, they will be sorrowful like those who have no hope. Paul’s intent is to tackle their ignorance by teaching them what they are unsure of, so that they won’t sorrow, on the contrary, he wants to reassure them, verse 18 reads ‘Therefore comfort one another with these words’. What words does Paul intend for them to comfort each other with? We can discern why the Thessalonians were troubled, when we read what Paul wrote: 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. The Thessalonians were concerned about those who had died: would they be resurrected and would they see them again? It was about their longing to be together. That’s why Paul writes the way he does, he says, we shall be gathered together with them. This is the assurance Paul comforts the Thessalonians with and us, for this is our hope also, that we shall see our loved ones again, those who have gone before us and are now asleep in the Lord shall arise and we shall be gathered together with them to meet the Lord in the air. Wow what a wonderful day that will be, what a glorious triumph.    For if we believe Jesus died and rose again, shall we not also believe that those who are in Him, yet asleep, shall rise also? But more than this: those you long to be re-united with shall return with the Lord when He comes. At this point of course it would be their departed souls coming with the Lord to receive their new glorified body at the impending resurrection. Paul continues in verse 15 ‘For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.’ Paul’s use of the phrase ‘by the word of the Lord’, is incredibly emphatic. He’s saying, these aren’t my words, I didn’t make this up, this is what the Lord has said, and this is His word to you, not mine, that we who are alive until the Lord’s coming will by no means precede those who are asleep. ‘By no means’ also places special emphasis on this point, in other words: absolutely in no way will the dead in Christ not be raised first, the rapture comes after the resurrection not before. Did you notice something else here in verse 15? Paul writes the word of the Lord as follows: “we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord” Paul understood those who are alive shall remain until the coming of the Lord, they wouldn’t be raptured before this time, but would remain until He comes. This then is our next foundational marker: the resurrection/rapture doesn’t happen until the coming of the Lord. Let’s continue to read the rest of the passage 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Since we now know that the resurrection/rapture happens when the Lord returns, if there was a way to put a chronological marker for when that day might be, then we have completed mapping out the stages of the rapture and have been able to anchor it to a specific event which can be measured. Without this kind of mapping we are left with a “Christ could return any time” imminency perspective, or a secret rapture theory. So, is there a way to peg this ‘coming of the Lord’ that Paul writes of in 1 Thess 4 to another event that positions it securely on our timeline? Sadly, we are out of time for today, so this is where we’ll pick up from next time.

Did you enjoy this article?

Why not help us to spread the word and use the facebook or other social sharing links below. We'd really appreciate it, thanks!


Other Posts in 'Quick Bites'

QB74 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 6)

27 Mar 2023
QB74 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 6) The Changing of the Guard Previously in this series we have explored the concept of the Bride’s coming of age,...

QB73 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 5)

19 Mar 2023
QB73 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 5) The Anointing and Baptism of the Bride “(2) [The Shulamite] I sleep, but my heart is awake; [It is] the...

QB72 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 4)

14 Mar 2023
When the Bride Leaves Home “(9) Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. (10) Listen, O daughter, give...

QB71 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 3)

12 Mar 2023
Accession of the Bride Last time in this study of “THE BRIDE HAS COME OF AGE” I shared that coming of age, means reaching the age of majority when...

QB70 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 2)

10 Mar 2023
The Age of Majority Anyone who looks into Church history will soon discover how incredibly complex and multi-faceted it is, although the astute disciple will readily note pivotal times...

QB69 The Bride Has Come of Age (Part 1)

9 Mar 2023
QB69 The Bride Has Come Of Age – Part 1Introduction On the eighth of June 2022, I documented in my prayer journal these words I heard the Lord say...

QB68 Come Away With Me (Part 8)

17 Jan 2023
“(6) I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away [and] was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not...

QB67 Come Away With Me (Part 7)

13 Jan 2023
“(6) I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away [and] was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not...

QB66 Come Away With Me (Part 6)

11 Jan 2023
“(4) My beloved put his hand By the latch [of the door], And my heart yearned for him. (5) I arose to open for my beloved, And my hands...

QB65 Come Away With Me (Part 5)

10 Jan 2023
Have you ever had a special night planned with someone you love and it didn’t work out the way you expected? Or ever said to yourself ‘Well, that didn’t...

Looking for something? Try the search facility

About the author: Mike Pike

Live with my wife Jo in Cornwall UK, together we have raised five children and have served the Lord for over thirty years within the UK and in many other nations. My passion is for the coming of Jesus the Bridegroom King, and I long to see the Bride call upon Him to come.

CONTACT US


GET CONNECTED

Join our Facebook Group and become part of this growing movement around the world. On the group you'll join the Call2Come family and have the opportunity to participate and discuss various topics and teaching. Being part of the Call2Come family on the Facebook group includes

  • Regular updates and teaching
  • Meet others with a passion for the Lord's return
  • Grow in your own Bridal journey towards the Bridegroom
  • Latest news and developments

CONNECT WITH US

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

SUBSCRIBE

If you want to receive our newsletter, simply provide your email in the box below. You will then be sent a confirmation email immediately which you need to respond to. Thank you!