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1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Concerning the resurrection from the dead when Christ Jesus returns, the Apostle Paul gives us an order of action in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. Paul declares in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NKJV), “ 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then 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.” He then instructs us that this news should be comforting to one another as we share it in hopes of being reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before us (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
This is a promise and explanation of the resurrection process.
The Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 15 the process of resurrection as it pertains to Jesus, those who have died physically while believing in God/Jesus, those who have been saved through believing in Him but are alive physically when Jesus returns, and those who have not put their faith in God/Jesus. There are other Bible passages that are equally important in explaining the resurrection process such as John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4 (our current study), Revelation 20:4-6, and many other references throughout the Bible.
There are also many differing opinions of just how this will all come together for each situation described above. The important part that we must not overlook is the vital redemption that comes only through putting our faith in God/Jesus to save us from the condemnation that will become a reality for all who do not put their faith in Him. Jesus teaches us in John 3:16-18 (NKJV), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Put your trust and faith in God/Jesus today and you will gain the confidence of salvation from the grave and new life to be resurrected to eternal life. In speaking of Jesus, the Bible teaches us in John 1:10-13, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The first time John the Baptist saw the Lord Jesus Christ publicly, he exclaimed in John 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! And the first words of the ministry of Jesus was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The kingdom of heaven is at hand; Jesus died for your sins as an invitation to you to join Him for eternity by accepting His forgiveness for your sins. Why is this important to you? Because you must ask Him to forgive you before it all takes place in your life. Do so today and believe it is true, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
Dear LORD,
Our hope as Christians lies in the resurrection of our Savior Christ Jesus as being the event that opened the door to redemption for our sins through His sinless death and resurrection. Please help us to realize and understand that for us to gain eternal life we must bring ourselves before You with a sincere and repentant heart and ask Your forgiveness for our sins. Please help us to realize and understand that You will not force us to do so, but that You require our obedience to You in sincerity of heart. We ask LORD that you help us understand the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:5 as he states, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,”. In Jesus name I pray, amen.