A reader asks, “Would you please, if possible, explain 1st Thessalonians 4: 14-17?”

Sure.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:14-17). 

Until about the year 1830, this particular passage was embraced as a simple statement of the blessed hope of the return of Jesus Christ who has promised to come again to earth a second time (Hebrews 9:29) and in the same manner as He went away (Acts 1:11). Setting aside fanciful interpretations of people disappearing from the earth for a period of seven years—which the texts says nothing of the sort—the narrative teaches the following truths. 

First, Paul reassured the Thessalonians that, contrary to present rumors of his day, the second coming of Christ had not taken place. Paul states dogmatically that what he was saying to the church was by the word of the Lord. Paul had received by divine revelation that those alive, including himself, would not prevent or go before those who had already died or fallen asleep. 

Second, Paul presents the circumstances surrounding the second coming of Christ. Please note that despite what some modern Bible teachers advocate, the apostle set forth a single event which is not broken up into two “phases” or “stages” separated by seven years and going in opposite directions. Specifically, the apostle states that when Jesus returns the second time for all who believe He shall descend from heaven. His second coming will be accompanied with much noise. There will be “a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” In a moment, graves will be opened and those who have died in the Lord will rise first. Then, something else truly wonderful shall take place. When Jesus comes the second time those Christians who are alive and remain shall rise to greet the coming King of kings and Lord of lords in the air. 

The word for “meet” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is ‎apantesis (ap-an'-tay-sis) in the Greek and signifies a (friendly) encounter. It is a word of greeting especially for a visiting dignitary. We can understand this word easily enough for we have seen a president visiting a city. His plane lands and there to greet him at the airport is a local welcoming committee. Out of respect individuals have gone forth to meet or greet the president. When the King of kings and Lord of lords returns, it is right and proper that His own go forth to “meet” or greet the coming King, and so we shall. 

Because of the glorified bodies that will be enjoyed at the second coming of Christ, going forth to meet the Lord in the air will be possible (study 1 Cor. 15:51, 52). Please remember that in this passage Jesus is descending. The Lord is not merely descending to earth only to vanish off into the celestial skies in a heavenly u-turn to return for a third time in seven years. All of that sensational teaching has been read into the text, but as you can read for yourself, it is not there. Jesus is coming to earth and so we shall be with Him as He returns in glory. When the Lord comes there will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13). 

I trust your heart will be blessed by the hope of His coming the second time for all who believe. 

Special Note 
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