Go! And Meet Christ in the Air - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT): "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever."
Introduction: The Blessed Hope
Today we continue our ‘Go! And…’ series with a glorious truth that anchors our hope, fuels our mission, and compels our worship. The return of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a myth, not a metaphor, but a promised reality. The title of today’s message is “Go! And Meet Christ in the Air.”
We live in a world filled with uncertainty. Wars, disasters, moral decay, and spiritual apathy abound. But we have a blessed hope! The promise that Jesus, our risen Lord, will return for His people. This is not fantasy—it is the sure Word of God.
Point 1: The Certainty of Christ’s Return
1 Thessalonians 4:16 declares, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven…"
Let us note the certainty: "the Lord himself"—not an angel, not a prophet, but Jesus Christ, the risen King.
This echoes Jesus’ own promise in John 14:3 (NLT): “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
The Greek verb for “come down” is katabesetai, meaning to descend with intent and authority. Jesus is not coming silently—He is coming with purpose and majesty.
Paul wrote this letter to comfort the Thessalonians who were grieving the loss of fellow believers. They feared the dead would miss the return of Christ. Paul corrects and encourages them: Christ will return, and the dead in Him will rise!
Acts 1:11 (NLT): “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Charles Stanley once said, “The return of Christ is the culmination of God's redemptive plan. It reminds us that history is not circular—it is heading somewhere.”
Friends, we are not trapped in meaningless cycles. We are moving toward a glorious destination—meeting our Redeemer!
Imagine a soldier overseas receiving a letter from his bride-to-be: “I’m coming for you.” He counts the days, longing for the moment. That is how we wait—not in despair, but in expectation.
Point 2: The Resurrection of the Dead in Christ
“First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
First-century pagans had little hope beyond the grave. Paul is radically countercultural—he affirms a bodily resurrection.
The word “rise” is anastesontai, which means to stand up again physically. It’s not just spiritual resurrection; it’s bodily, glorified resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:52 (NLT): "It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever."
John Piper writes, “Christianity is not about escaping the physical world, but redeeming it through resurrection.”
The resurrection proves that Christ has conquered death. What was sown perishable is raised imperishable!
Consider a tulip bulb buried in dark soil. It looks lifeless, yet in season, it bursts forth in glory. So it is with the believer’s body!
Point 3: The Rapture of the Living Saints
“Then…we who are still alive…will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
The phrase “caught up” comes from harpagesometha, which means to snatch away by force. In Latin, this is rapturo, from which we get “rapture.”
This is a glorious reunion, not escapism. It is about Jesus gathering His people for eternal communion.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT): “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives…He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own.”
Tim Keller says, “The gospel is not just the message of how to get saved; it’s the announcement that God’s kingdom has come in Christ, and He will return to complete what He began.”
Believers, our story doesn't end in struggle or death—it ends in transformation and glory.
Let’s live every day as citizens of heaven. Let our priorities reflect eternity, not temporality.
Point 4: Eternal Communion with Christ
“And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT): “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people!’ … He will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
“Forever” is pantote, meaning “at all times, perpetually, without end.”
Max Lucado says, “When Christ returns, everything will be right. No more tears, no more death, no more fear. Just Jesus.”
This is our inheritance—eternal, unbroken fellowship with Jesus. Not floating on clouds, but walking with Christ in resurrected life.
The Gospel Presentation: Jesus Our Hope
Why is this future guaranteed? Because of what Jesus has already done.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT) tells us: “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day.”
Jesus bore the wrath of God on the cross, died in our place, and rose victorious. His resurrection guarantees ours. But we must respond.
Repentance and Faith:
To meet Christ in the air, we must first meet Him at the cross. Turn from your sin, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive eternal life.
Call to Action:
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
Do you know Jesus as Saviour, or are you still clinging to your own righteousness?
Today is the day of salvation. Don’t wait for the trumpet to sound to decide your eternal destiny.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Come to Jesus. Trust Him. Follow Him.
Conclusion and Benediction:
Church, let us live as people who eagerly await our King.
Titus 2:13 (NLT): “We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Go! And meet Christ in the air—not in fear, but in faith; not in shame, but in joy.
Benediction:
May the Lord strengthen your heart as you await His coming. May you walk in holiness, shine with hope, and live for His glory until He returns or calls you home. Amen.
