1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sept.30, 2001
A man went to see his doctor because he was suffering from a miserable cold. His doctor prescribed some pills, but they didn’t help.
On his next visit the doctor gave him a shot, but that didn’t do any good.
On his third visit the doctor told the man to go home and take a hot bath. As soon as he was finished bathing he was to throw open all the windows and stand in the draft.
"But doc," protested the patient, "if I do that, I’ll get pneumonia."
"I know," said his physician. "I can cure pneumonia."
Sept.11th tragedy in the US has brought out some doomsayers. Some are predicting more of the same. Some are saying this is what happens to a sinful nation. Many are now wondering about the future. What’s the future gonna hold for us? This world is ailing. All sorts of prescriptions are being used to bring back a sense of hope for the future. Just like the doctor, who doesn’t like to be confused, we want to have a cure that works. People seem want to want soemthing they can be in control of to bring a sense of normalcy.
BUT the pressures mount, with the economy going south, 40% less people traveling on planes, people in general seem to be hunkering down, unsure of what to make of this and that news. So what about the future? Are things gonna get much worse?
As pastor, I want us to think biblically about the future. I hope that u don’t use the National Enquirer or even the Vancouver Sun, or even the so-called experts in Middle East affairs as your authoritative source for info re: the truth about the future. In fact, according to the news sources, there will be lots of lies in a propaganda warfare as the US tries to misinform the Taliban and the Osama Bin Laden’s network of terrorists. It is of little use to trust these sources, even if it come from the experts in Middle East affairs. Here is one expert George Fielding Eliot, in 1938, who said: “ A Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is a strategic impossibility.” And we know now, that this expert is so dead wrong. Another example is entertainment expert, a filmmaker and head of 20th Century Fox in 1946 said this: “Television won’t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” Another example is the Science Digest in August 1948 that boldly predicted “Landing and moving around on the moon offers so many serious problems for human beings that it may take science another 200 years to lick them.” Shall we blindly trust the reports that come from “the experts?”
"I believe World War III actually began Sept. 11, 2001," John Hagee tells the Los Angeles Times. And people are listening: "At Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, people were turned away the Sunday after Sept 11th attack on America, as 15,000 packed the sanctuary, the adjoining chapel and 4,000-seat gym to hear Hagee’s message that the beginning of the end is coming." But apart from Hagee and a few comments by Hal Lindsey, there’s not much in the story to justify the headline, "Talk of ’End Days’ Soars" (from CT Today Weblog ). It seems, there is much uninformed expert Christian talk too going around.
Well, if you and I really wanna know the future, best to get it from a really good and trusted source – the Bible. So far it’s been right on target, for instance, predictions re: Christ such as His descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen.12:3, 17:19), His crucifixion with criminals (Is.53:12) piercing of His hands and feet on the cross (ps.22:16), the soldiers gambling for His clothes (Ps.22:18). The piercing of His side and the fact the bones were not broken at His death (Zech.12:10, Ps.34:20) and His burial among the rich (Is.53:9). Jesus also predicted His own death and resurrection (Jn.2:19-22). No one has been successful in proving the Bible to be untrue or unreliable. In fact several who have tried to do it, who were a lot smarter than I am, such as Harvard Law Professor Simon Greenleaf and Josh McDowell, who researched and studied the Bible, found it to be wholly trustworthy. They were converted after they concluded their investigation in trying to prove the Bible to be unreliable.
So let’s go the Word in search of an answer what’s gonna happen in the future.
A. What is the “rapture” about?
First, it is rapture not raptor!
What is it really? This is the teaching that the church will be "caught up" or raptured in the clouds with Jesus and the resurrected believers and be with the Lord forever. It is clearly taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (NASB). There is little disagreement on that.
The word “rapture” isn’t specifically found in the text, so where did this term come from? The English word rapture currently means “to be swept away with joyous emotion,” but it comes from a Latin word, rapere, that simply means “to be seized or snatched up.” And this very word is used for that meaning in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 in the Latin Bible. So both the original and the current meaning of “rapture” accurately describe the scene of the church being blissfully “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air.
B. The Purpose of Paul’s writing about the topic.
As we look in v.13 we see Paul’s purpose in writing about the rapture. It is not merely for the express purpose of giving a sneak preview of the future. It is to give courage to keep on living in midst of a hostile world (see 1:6; 2:14; 3:2-5, 3:13). So we gather from v.13 at least 2 things about how to carry on in time of deep mourning and grief:
1. They need to be informed about what happens after death.
2. They would grieve with hope in order to be encouraged (v.18). I like that. Permission is given to grieve, but with a difference, with hope! Calls to face future with hope and courage with the help of faith. Grieve that draws them closer to Christ! Hear a lot about closure, with faith in Christ, there is great closure, draw close to God and case is closed because of the resurrection hope, (see v.14).
Remember the historical situation - because the Christians then believed Christ will come in their life time and when their numbers are dying off through persecution, their grief is deepened. They wondered if their loved ones would see the glorious coming of the Lord, and miss out on the event. Perhaps wondering if they will see their loved ones once again. They’re wondering if their hope is baseless and their faith is useless. They’re, like us, perhaps in the aftermath of seeing many deaths, wondering what’s up. What’s the delay with Christ’s promised coming? Will He really come back? Based on Paul’s explanation there is no need to worry, because the hope is firmly based on the resurrection power of Christ (read v.14).
C. The Popular View Today
However, there is cause for reservation about the popular conception of the rapture nowadays, especially in regard to the time element and manner in which it is commonly believed it will take place. Warren Wiersbe, a widely published, influential, and often insightful Bible teacher explains his view of the rapture:
"Jesus Christ will return in the air, and this is where we shall meet him. Suddenly, millions of people will vanish!….Just think of what effect this event will have on a lost world!….When Jesus Christ returns in the air, He will call to Himself only those who are saved through faith in Him. This is called ‘the first resurrection’ or ‘the resurrection of life.’ At the end of time, just before God ushers in the new heaven and earth, there will be another resurrection. This is called ‘the second resurrection’ or ‘the resurrection of judgment.’ Between these two events, I believe that the Tribulation on earth and the 1000-year kingdom will occur." (This is from his Bible Exposition Commentary set, commenting on this passage.)
It seems he believes in two future “comings” of Jesus—one in the air, which only Christians will witness and participate in--“the rapture”-—and another, years later, in which Jesus will actually step foot on earth and set up a political kingdom in Israel. This is the view of the rapture that is probably most widely held today. Those who subscribe to it basically differ only in when they believe the rapture will occur in relation to the last great tribulation—whether before, during or afterwards. The idea of an invisible rapture has been popularized by several major Christian book publishers, including Tim LaHaye’s big-selling series of fiction novels (Left Behind and other titles) and movies like Thief in the Night. Remember that’s just what they are. Fiction not theology!
D. No Secret Second Coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is the critical text in forming the doctrine of the rapture. The apostle Paul is clearly writing about the second “coming of the Lord” (v. 15). Notice the way Paul describes this coming of Jesus. It will be one of glory and majesty and tremendous noise! It will be accompanied by a “shout,” the “voice of the archangel” and the “trumpet of God” (v. 16). Nothing at all in the passage indicates anything like a secret rapture.
Leon Morris is a Bible scholar who is highly respected in many circles in the religious world. Objecting to the common conception of the rapture as drawn from this passage, Morris makes these remarks in his commentary on 1 Thessalonians:
"It is difficult to see how he could more plainly describe something that is open and public. I do not doubt that, if He so wished, God would make the voice of the archangel, the shout, and the trumpet call to be inaudible to unbelievers. But I do greatly doubt whether that is what Paul is saying."
What Paul describes is a battle cry. This is what ancient armies did when they charged towards their enemy in order to strike fear into their hearts. Perhaps, if you have seen movies like Braveheart, you know that they do that, Scots cry as they race toward the English. What reason is there in the text to suppose that this battle cry will only be heard by Christ’s saints? Reminds me of this story…
A man told his doctor, "I don’t think my wife’s hearing is as good as it used to be. What should I do?"
The doctor replied, "Try this test first. When your wife is at the sink doing dishes, stand fifteen feet behind her and ask her a question. If she doesn’t respond, keep moving closer, asking the question until she hears you."
He went home and saw his wife preparing dinner. Standing fifteen feet behind her he said, "What’s for dinner, honey?"
Hearing no reply, he moved up to ten feet behind her and repeated the question.
Still no reply, so he moved to five feet.
Finally he stood directly behind her and said, "Honey, what’s for dinner tonight?"
She turned around and yelled in his face, "For the fourth time, I SAID CHICKEN, you deaf old goat!
Battle cry will be heard, and fear will strike hearts of those who refused Christ.
The last phrase of verse 16 is also sometimes confusing and part of the debate. Who’s preceding whom?
A little more careful look indicates that Paul means that the dead in Christ will be the first to rise into the air to meet Jesus, in relation to believers who are still alive. Notice the preceding verse: “According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep” (v. 15 NIV). His point is that we who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will have no advantage over those who have died. This tells the Thessalonian believers that their loved ones who departed are not missing out in the glorious return of the Lord. This comforts them in knowing that they is no advantage of being alive when He returns. Let me read NLT version of it
“ I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves.”
He then proceeds to explain why. Notice the word “For…” at the beginning of verse 16: "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven… and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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 shall will be with the Lord forever" (v. 16-17). So there is no need, nor justification, for getting two widely separated resurrections out of this passage. One and the same event! There will be no sequel. Everyone on earth will see it. Immediately thereafter, eternity will be ushered in.
If you take these words of Jesus “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36), and many other passages, to indicate that the eschatological kingdom is heavenly. Therefore, no compelling reason remains for it.
A secondary text which is sometimes thought to lend support to the idea of a rapture that is unseen and unheard by unbelievers is this one from the Gospel of Matthew 24:37-41
"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left." (24:37-41)
The twice repeated phrase “one will be taken and the other left” (v. 40-41) is often construed by Bible readers to refer to the mysterious “vanishings” of the saved which they believe will take place at the rapture. Given the prominence of the idea, it is not hard to see why. But is Jesus talking about a secret rapture, involving only the saved, prior to his final coming?
It seems unmistakable that Jesus is describing his final coming, for he concentrates on how he will deal with the unsaved. In the previous verses (37-39) he compares the Second Coming to the great flood of Noah’s day, in that both come unexpectedly and spell doom for the unprepared. In verse 39, he describes how the flood swept away and destroyed those who were not prepared, and he then tacks on the significant phrase: “so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” So Jesus is emphasizing the instant destruction to be experienced by the unsaved at his coming. BOOM!
That is exactly what he elaborates on in the next two key verses (40-41), when he speaks of the two men and two women. He did not jump tracks to talk about a preliminary, invisible coming that only involves the saved, while the unsaved keep living on for several more years! His whole point is the instant, irreversible destruction for the unprepared. There will be no warning, no second chances—both of which are supplied in the popular view of the rapture. Would not the mysterious disappearance of all the Christians on earth be a warning to unbelievers, and would they not then have time (even years!) to repent and still be saved? Therefore, on closer examination, this text does not appear to support the common conception of the rapture either.
Notwithstanding all the bumper stickers that say, “In case of the rapture, this vehicle will be without a driver,” when the Lord comes again, unbelievers will have much bigger problems than dodging unmanned cars and filing missing person reports. They will be confronted by the glorious Savior they rejected. They will be dragged by the angels out of every hiding place they crawl into and led before the judgment seat of Christ. There they will be sentenced to eternal doom.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen” (Rev. 1:7).
Reflecting back on Matthew 24, there is a strong emotional appeal in the situations described. The scenarios of the two men and the two women are intended to emphasize the fact that the most intimate bonds between people will not prevent them from being separated at the Lord’s coming. No one will be accepted by virtue of their spouse’s or neighbor’s preparation. No one will be condemned because of someone else’s failure to prepare. People who have spent years together, who seem to have so much in common—work the same job, share the same bed—who both seem to be pretty good people will be torn from each other, never to see the other again. Why? Because one was spiritually prepared in a devoted relationship with Jesus, and the other was not. So the really crucial question is which are you?
Gallup is reporting that while America has seen an increase in church attendance since September 11, it hasn’t been a dramatic one. A poll conducted September. 21 and 22 asked those surveyed if they had attended church or synagogue in the last seven days. Forty-seven percent said they had. But this isn’t a dramatic rise. The percentage of those saying "yes" has floated around 40 to 45 percent for the last two years. In both February and March of this year, 41 percent said they had been to services in the previous week. This tells me a lot of people even at a time like this, are not prepared to meet God. And u can be sure He is coming soon, based on the trustworthiness of His word but who knows when, but He will. It is just as sure as the fulfilled prophecies of His first visit to earth.
Are you prepared to meet God when you die or when this world as we know it comes to an end? If not, and u want to make prep, pray with me. If not sure, pray with me, let’s make sure. If u are sure, have joy that u know Jesus, I trust that u can now grieve with hope in midst of deadly world. You have a God who guarantees life after death, a joyous reunion with Him and the saints. I trust that u are now instructed about the future, and your hope and faith is based on a risen Savior who died and rose again. May you encourage one another with the rock solid future of God’s coming Kingdom and not let the terror of the times take root and live a life hopeful in the Lord.
