By Glen R. Jackman
Study:1 Thessalonians 4 on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
The Apostle Paul like Jesus before him always taught people about the future—that salvation carried a promise of eternal life. Jesus can offer us the power to overcome death, because “all things were created by Him and for Him and through Him” (see Colossians 1)
Jesus Christ who died, arose, and ascended would one day return. This will be what is referred to as his “Second Coming” or “Second Advent” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). The early believers knew that this could occur at any time unannounced, though Jesus cautioned us not to place a date on this event. Let’s address several questions regarding the resurrection of believers and the Second Coming.
Early Christians in Thessalonica, Greece – believers in Jesus Christ – questioned Apostle Paul regarding the Christians who had died. The believers had been taught that Christ would one day return and take his people to himself—every believer should be ready for that return at any moment.
In the interim as the believers awaited Christ’s return, some of them had died. The Thessalonians were wondering why this had happened before Christ’s return, and what would happen to those who had died before he came back. Some may have feared that believers who had died would miss the Kingdom.
The thought that their loved ones would not be with Christ caused them great sorrow. Paul comforted them: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonian 4:13 NIV)
Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand that death is not the end. When Christ returns, all believers—dead and alive—will be reunited, never to suffer or die again. Believers need not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. Paul recognized that the death of loved ones naturally results in grieving; but when Christians grieve for Christians who have died, there is a difference. Their grief is not hopeless. While the pain is real, the fact is that these loved ones will be seen again as the following verse describes. “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (2 Thessalonians 4:14 NIV)
Believers can have hope in the resurrection because of what happened to Jesus. Because Jesus died and was raised to life again, believers can also trust that those who have died will also be resurrected and made alive agin with Him. And exactly at the same time, when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.
Believers who have died are with God and will come with Jesus at the event of his second return to earth. They haven’t missed out—in fact, they are enjoying God’s protection and immortality because as believers in Christ they have entered eternal life with Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:21–22 for this assurance).
Here is a key verse about all Christians being united together to meet the Lord upon His return, as they claim absolute victory over death:
“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 NIV)
All Christian believers can be assured that neither the dead nor the living would be at any disadvantage with regard to Christ’s return. All believers will share the blessings of the resurrection. Those who have died are already with Christ and will be with him when he returns: “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (4:14); those who are still living when Christ returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves.
Instead, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves first. Knowing exactly when the dead will be raised, in relation to the other events at the Second Coming, is not as important as knowing why Paul wrote these words. He wrote them to challenge and motivate believers to comfort and encourage one another when loved ones die – a great comfort when any believer dies.
The same love that unites believers in this life (4:9) will unite them when Christ returns and reigns for eternity” “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.(2 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NIV)
The Second Coming will occur in God’s timing. He alone brings it about. Christ, who is the Lord himself, will descend from heaven, for that is where he has been since after his resurrection (Acts 1:9–11). Christ’s return will be unmistakable. No one will miss it, for he will descend with a shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. Whether these are three different ways of referring to one sound, whether they happen simultaneously, or happen in sequence is unknown. But these sounds will herald his return.
Paul used distinctive imagery associated with the end times. An archangel is a high or holy angel appointed to a special task. Clearly, the angelic hosts will be taking part in this celebration of Christ’s return to take his people home (Mark 8:38). A trumpet blast will usher in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 11:15). The Jews would understand the significance of this because trumpets were always blown to signal the start of great festivals and other extraordinary events (Numbers 10:10).
After the dead have risen from their graves, the believers “who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”. A reference to “clouds” in the Bible often symbolizes the presence of God (Exodus 13:21; 14:19; 19:16; 24:15; 40:34–38; Mark 9:7; Acts 1:9).
Jesus also indicated that His Second Coming would have a majestic visible sign – atomic-like light will encompass the earth as He returns in glory: “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27 ESV)
Christ’s purpose is to execute judgement and command His angels to separate His believers – those that are saved – and take only His faithful. Are you ready for this apocalyptic event to occur? “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”. (Matthew 24:30-31 ESV)
You can be ready. Simply confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see Colossians 1 to see Him as your Creator and Life-giver). Jesus admonishes all mankind to “…stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming”; and “…you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. (Matthew 24:42,44)
Clearly, all believers—whether they are alive or have died at the time of Christ’s return—will be together with one another and with the Lord forever. This supernatural event will cause a great reunion among believers who are alive and those who have already died. Both groups will experience Christ’s return together. This joyous reunion will go on forever.