LESSON AIM

1. We will know what will happen to the living and the dead in CHRIST when JESUS returns

2. We will also know how believers should live until HE returns.

KEEP IN MIND

“For GOD hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUSCHRIST” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The Thessalonians wondered about Christians who had already died. Paul assured them that when the LORD returned, HE would first call these believers to HIMSELF. Whether we “sleep” or are alive, we will be with the LORD. We do not know when the LORD will return, so we must live expectantly, always ready for HIS return.

By way of background, In 315 B.C., when he grouped together villages of the area, Cassander named the city of Thessalonica after his wife, who was the half sister of Alexander the Great. The city has a strategic location at the head of the Thermaic Gulf, about midway between the Hellespont and the Adriatic Sea. With excellent harbors and land trade routes, it has for centuries been the natural port for the trade of Macedonia. The Romans first made it the capital of one of the four parts of Macedonia.

The church at Thessalonica was a relatively new congregation still living out their faith under very trying circumstances. They were still being faithful to GOD in the midst of suffering. Some had been killed for their faith. Many of these new Christians thought that JESUS would return immediately after they got saved. Yet, the remaining Christians stayed true to GOD in spite of some unanswered questions.

Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, showed his concern for this new church at Thessalonica. He had been instrumental in planting this church, and he continued to instruct them in his letter. Even though he could not visit them in the flesh, his letter addressed their concern about the SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST. They wanted to know what would happen to those who had already died before the LORD returned. Paul did not leave these infant Christians baffled or hanging; instead, he encouraged their tender hearts to hold on to their faith and not give up on GOD, even though the persecution was fierce and JESUS’ return seemed delayed. In today’s Scripture passage, he answers their questions.

Just as Christians in the first century church had to encourage each other, so should we today. In today’s text, Paul did his Christian duty. Paul was a good leader, a shepherd. He watched over GOD’S children.

1. THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

In the midst of this young congregation’s persecution, Paul encouraged them further. They wondered not only what would happen to their fellow believers who died before JESUS returned, but why they had died in the first place. When they accepted JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR of their lives, they thought that CHRIST’S SECOND COMING would happen immediately, before any of them died. Paul desired to help them understand that the story did not end with death because their life did not end with death.

Paul explained that when CHRIST returned, all believers—dead and alive—would be reunited. They would never suffer or die again. Therefore, believers should not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. The Christian’s hope is built on nothing less than JESUS CHRIST and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The phrase “to be ignorant” comes from the Greek word agnoein and refers to having a misunderstanding about the state of Christians between death and resurrection. Paul wants the Thessalonian Christians to know what happens to those who have died. False teachers taught that those who died before the return of CHRIST would miss HIS glory and joy. This caused a great deal of anxiety for the believers who remained alive. Paul wanted them to know that Christians, unlike the pagans, have hope because of the resurrection of CHRIST.

Paul reiterated in his letter that because we believe that JESUS died and rose again, we also believe that when HE returns, GOD will bring with JESUS all the CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE DIED (v.14). None will be left behind.

Paul spoke “according to the LORD’S own word” (v.15). GOD had either revealed this truth to HIM, or it had been passed along orally by the apostles or other Christians. Those who are alive when JESUS returns would not rise up to meet the LORD ahead of those who have already died. GOD has order. Paul challenged believers to comfort and encourage each other with these facts whenever they lost a loved one. They should comfort each other because of their love for one another. That same love should unite them in their persecution.

Paul explained that CHRIST would return visibly and with a commanding shout, and with the call of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet there would be fanfare that has never before been heard. In other words, everyone would know that JESUS had returned. First, all the Christians who had died would rise from their grave (v.16). Then those Christians who remained would be changed and caught up in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air and dwell with HIM forever (v.17). Paul encouraged them again to comfort each other with these words (v.18; see also 1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

2. THE EVENTS OF JESUS’ SECOND COMING (5:2-11)

Paul then addressed the subject of when the SECOND COMING, or “the day of the LORD,” would take place.

Paul emphasized that no man knew the day or hour when JESUS would return. He deemed that efforts to determine that day or hour were foolish since GOD’S WORD specifically indicated that it will be unexpected…like “a thief in the night” (v.2).

Paul also contrasted JESUS’ SECOND COMING to a woman’s birth pains. They begin when the child is about to be born, and even when the woman is not quite ready or in the best location, the baby still comes. Therefore, Paul told these Thessalonians to be ready, and we should be also (v.3).

Paul further stated in his letter that the Thessalonians were not in the dark about JESUS’ SECOND COMING because whether HIS return was imminent or delayed, the children of GOD should be living daily as believers are commanded to live by GOD (v.5). All Christians should be on guard, alert, and sober, expecting JESUS at any time. Therefore, HIS SECOND COMING should not find the children of light unprepared or living like those who do not know GOD or have not accepted HIM as their personal SAVIOR. Believers should maintain self-control (v.7).

Christians should have the whole armor of GOD on at all times: the belt of truth, the body armor of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, shoes of peace that come from the GOOD NEWS, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD (Ephesians 6:13-17). Therefore, believers would be protected by this spiritual armor.

Paul also constantly referred to the Christian life as a race. The prize was and is eternal life, and GOD saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Paul reminded this congregation of what GOD did for all believers: HE decided to provide salvation through JESUS. Through JESUS’ DEATH, GOD offers us mercy and grace GOD’S unmerited favor (vv.9-11). Justice demanded that sinner pay every for his/her own sins. However, JESUS HAS PAID THE PENALTY FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM. Therefore, GOD loved us so much that HE gave HIS ONLY SON to die in our place. Since sin demanded death, the LAMB OF GOD who knew no sin took sin upon HIMSELF. Now, believers can live with GOD forever and have eternal, everlasting life. Sin no longer separates the believer from GOD.

Paul concluded this section of his letter by telling the Thessalonians what would happen when JESUS returned, so that they would be further encouraged and continue to lift and build each other up in the Faith. Paul believed that as these Christians (and all Christians) reached the end of this long race (in death or when JESUS returns), that encouragement could help them cross the finish line. This encouragement could be the difference in a believer finishing his/her Christian race or collapsing prematurely under stress and pressures from satanic forces. Paul wanted them to continue to support each other in words and actions.

People may become discouraged by negative conversations, church problems, or personal problems and decide to distance themselves from the church. Some feel that they can’t handle any more problems because they have enough of their own. However, your encouragement can help them get back in the Christian race.

Our loving encouragement can help other believers attend Sunday church services and weekly services as often as they can. We can help each other to keep our eyes on the goal, so that one-day we, too, can hear GOD say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Pray for new Christians everywhere, that they will not get discouraged and give up their Christian race. Also continue to look around your congregation to see if a familiar face is missing. If so, give that person a call, send an e-mail, or drop a note of encouragement. Let that person know that he or she is missed, and ask if there is a need that you can help them meet.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

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