THE RAPTURE OF ABIDING SAINTS IN CHRIST 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The purpose of the pastoral ministry is to “feed you (the church) with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). Paul was a faithful pastor and he was concerned that the church would not be ignorant of (1) commitment to preaching the saving gospel of Christ (Romans 1:13-16), (2) all things written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:1,6,11), (3) spiritual gifts for evangelizing the world and edifying the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), (4) trial and triumph of God’s ministers (2 Corinthians 1:8-10). Ignorance brings unnecessary suffering and may eventually bring eternal, unending suffering. “My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge.” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). “That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good” (Proverbs 19:2). The Thessalonians were brethren, true and genuine believers, but they had incomplete and imperfect knowledge “concerning them which are asleep”, that is, “them which sleep in Jesus” or “the dead in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 4:13,14,16). They knew about the coming of Christ. For they “had turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” and were already taught “to wait for His Son from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10). Their problem arose regarding those saints who had died before Christ’s Coming. Would their bodies remain in the graves until the last day? Would they be excluded from participation in Christ’s Coming and in His glorious kingdom? To answer their questions and prevent sorrow and hopelessness, Paul now describes the order of events at the time of Christ’s Coming for His people. 1. THE RESURRECTION OF PRECIOUS SAINTS AT CHRIST’S COMING 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14; Psalm 116:15; Acts 7:59,60; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Acts 2:22-32; John 5:25-29; 11:23-27; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-53 “Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him”. The basis of the believer’s hope is the resurrection of Christ. Just as surely as He died and rose again, so the dead in Christ will be raised and will take part in His Coming. His resurrection is the pledge and proof of ours. “The dead in Christ” are now asleep in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16), but they will be raised from the dead at Christ’s Coming. It is important to know that in the New Testament “sleep” applies only to the body, never to the soul. The Bible does not teach that the soul sleeps at the time of death. The believer departs to be with Christ at the time of death. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Lazarus was conscious in Abraham’s bosom immediately after death and the rich man was conscious of torments in the fire and flame of hell immediately after death (Luke 16:19-26). The penitent, pleading thief on the cross was promised, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” While the body of Stephen “fell asleep” at the time of death, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Act 7:56-60). Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Why did he consider dying as gain? Because “to die” is “to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:21,23). So, with regard to the precious saints who have died there is no need for hopeless sorrow. Resurrection is sure and certain. 2. THE RAPTURE OF PURIFIED SAINTS AT CHRIST’S COMING 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; John 14:1-3; 16:13-15; Genesis 5:22-24; Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:3,5,9,11; Acts 8:39; 2 Corinthians 12:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord.” Paul received the prophecy of the rapture of God’s people by direct revelation from the Lord. The order of events at Christ’s Return is clearly revealed, but the time of the rapture is not known. Everyone of us must be in a state of readiness for Christ’s Coming. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, and in 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, Paul speaks of himself as one who would be alive at Christ’s Coming. “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.” “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” However, in 2 Corinthians 4:14 and 5:1, he speaks of the possibility of his being among those who will be raised from the dead. “Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus.” “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Through Paul, the Lord is teaching us that we should be expectant, living righteously and waiting for the Lord’s Return at any moment, yet be well prepared, living and labouring for Christ for a lifetime, knowing we may be called to heaven by way of death. The dead in Christ shall rise and the living saints will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. That is referred to as ‘The Rapture.’ It is certain, it is imminent, be ready, be righteous. 3. THE READINESS OF PERSEVERING SAINTS FOR CHRIST’S COMING 1 Thessalonians 4:17,18; Matthew 24:11-14; Mark 13:13, 29-37; Matthew 24:33-44; Luke 21:34-36; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 3:1-3; Revelation 16:15; 22:12-14 Christ’s Coming is much nearer than at the time of Paul. Thoughts of His Coming should comfort us and encourage us to watchfulness, rapturable lifestyle and rewardable service to the Lord. There are many indications that the rapture must be very near: (1) The formation of the State of Israel in 1948 (Luke 21:29-31). For the first time in centuries, the Jews have a national existence in their own homeland. (2) The rise of many other nations, all other prophetic trees shooting forth (Luke 21:29). (3) The ecumenical movement, Babylon the great (Revelation 17;18) made up of apostate religious bodies, moving towards a world superchurch. (4) The worldwide increase in spiritism, sweeping over vast areas of the earth at the moment (1 Timothy 4:1,2; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). (5) The drastic decline of moral standards (2 Timothy 3:1-5). (6) Violence and civil disobedience, a spirit of lawlessness abounding in the home, and national life (2 Thessalonians 2:7,8). (7) People having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). (8) Earthquakes in many places and increasing hostility among nations (Matthew 24:6,7). These events are actually prophesied as occurring before the Second Coming of Christ to reign on earth. They do not need to happen before the rapture which comes before the Second Coming. Their occurrence leads to the conclusion that the rapture must be very near at hand. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, lest that day come upon you unawares”.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:22:05 +0000
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