HOPE! 1 Thess. 4:13-18 – Part 2

Introduction
Bible Prophecy is said by most to be ‘poetry’ and not to be understood literally. SAD and SILLY!! What wonderful truth they are missing!

1 REASON – For Instruction - HOPE – 1 Thess. 4:13
• 1 Thess was one of the earliest books of the NT to be written – and none available had any clear teaching about the 2nd Coming – especially what happens to people who have died
• ‘Asleep’ is a reference to the physical body – not the soul/spirit. There is no such thing as ‘soul-sleep.’
• Sorrowing without Hope – what a compounding of the tragedy of death (PTK had an unforgettable graveside service experience)

2. RETURN – With Christ - HOPE – 1 Thess. 4:14
• Only those who BELIEVE in Jesus (His death and resurrection) are “asleep in Jesus”
• Those “asleep in Jesus” are “with” Him NOW and when He returns, they will come back with Him

3. RESURRECTION ORDER – HOPE – 1 Thess, 4:15-16
• Paul received this information from the Lord Himself (when he was in Paradise)
• Jesus will descend from Heaven with the “Disembodied SpiritPersons” – but He will NOT come to the earth
• The Archangel (probably Gabriel) will give a great shout and the SHOFAR of God will be blown
• The Dead in Christ will be resurrected first and then those who are living will receive an immortal, incorruptible resurrection body too

4. RAPTURED TOGETHER – HOPE – 1 Thess. 4:17
• Greek word translated “caught up” is ‘harpadzo” – “suddenly snatched away”
• Word “rapture” is the English form of the Latin translation of “harpadzo” – “rapturo”
• When does this occur? Next week we will survey the different ideas. We believe the Bible teaches it will be a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church

5. REASON – To Comfort – HOPE – 1 Thess. 4:1

Timeless Truth.
God gave the Apostle Paul revelation that contained the details of Jesus’ descent from Heaven and “rapturing” all Church Age Believers. At that moment, all Believers will receive an immortal and incorruptible, resurrection
body in which we will spend all of eternity future with our Savior, the Lord Jesus, The Christ.

Living Lesson
Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus for giving us this wonderful teaching about the Rapture of Your Church. Thank You for the promise that we will be re-united with our loved ones who have died. Thank You for the promise that we will be with You forever. If you have not yet believed in Jesus, DO SO RIGHT NOW! DO NOT WAIT ANOTHER SECOND! The Rapture could occur at any moment!