Encouraging Words 1 Thessalonians 4 13 18 Did

“Encouraging Words” 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18 Did death mean those who died would miss the Second Coming of Christ? Would these people miss all the glory that had been promised? [Acts 1: 11] READ [Matthew 24: 30, 31] READ [2 Peter 3: 8 -10] READ

ØFirst, those who are living at the time of the return of Christ will not precede those who have died. ØSecond, the Lord will come down from Heaven unmistakably. ØThird, dead and the living believers will be “caught up together”.

There are two primary beliefs about the Rapture. One group believes the Rapture will be a “secret” event. - The Lord will come and suddenly take all believers from the earth leaving the rest of the world bewildered. - The non-believers who are “left behind” will face a time of intense persecution called the Tribulation (a period pointed to in Revelation). - This will happen either before the Tribulation starts or midway through the Tribulation (depending on your viewpoint). - This is the view proposed by the Left Behind books and many of the prophecy preachers on television.

A second group would point out that the events that describe this gathering of saints (also Matthew 24 and 1 Cor. 15) give the impression that this event will be anything but secret (trumpets, shouts, etc. ). - These people believe the Rapture will take place after the Tribulation (destruction of Jerusalem – 70 AD) and will be concurrent with the actual Second Coming of Christ. - They believe the saints will be “caught up” to be part of a massive welcoming party for the coming King. One scholar explains, The words, “To meet” the Lord translates a term used only two other times in the New Testament. In the parable of the ten maidens the maidens are called out to “meet” the groom and join the marriage procession (Matt 25: 6). Outside Rome some Christian brethren came to “meet” Paul and escort him back into the city (Acts 28: 15). The word was a technical term for meeting a visiting dignitary. A delegation honored the visitor by going outside the city and meeting him and his entourage on the road. Together the entire party [1] would then proceed back into the city with great pomp and fanfare. �

Fourth don’t miss the most important words: “So, we will be with the Lord forever. ” (1 Corinthians 15: 51, 52) READ “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ” (1 Corinthians 13: 12). …when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his 8� He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey powerful angels. � 9� They will be punished with everlasting the gospel of our Lord Jesus. � destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty 10� on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to of his power � be marveled at among all those who have believed. 2 Thess.