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1 Thessalonians 4 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
What do we know about the coming of the Lord? Paul gives us a clue at the end of this chapter. Verses 13-18 are controversial, and (surprise, surprise) they center around the end times. I’ll start by saying that many people are more passionate about controversy in Scripture than the overwhelming and obvious foundational truth. I’ve met many people who are quick to argue their opinion on Revelation but really aren’t interested in loving God and loving people.
It’s also worth mentioning that the context of this letter is addressing a real issue that the church in Thessalonica was struggling with. It is proposed, and makes sense, that the church was continuing to lament over the dead. Paul makes this clear in verse 13. They may have been confused over the doctrine of the resurrection, and Paul does not want them to act like pagans with regard to the dead. He was addressing a practical issue facing the church, and the verses should be read in that context..
Rapture or no rapture?
- Those faithful believers who die will share in Christ’s resurrection through eternal life. (Verse 14)
- When Jesus returns, that last living generation will not die, but be transformed instantly. (Verse 17)
- Even though that living generation will be transformed, the dead will rise and transform before them. (Verse 15)
The next obvious question is, does this passage support the rapture? If you look at what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, you will see a very similar parallel.
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”
1 Corinthians 15:50-55 NASB
Both passages mention a trumpet with 1 Corinthians calling it the “last trumpet.” Does this mean the last of the 7 trumpets in Revelation, or is this just a final trumpet before the transformation? The fact that we have so many knowledgeable scholars who disagree on this issue illustrates that it’s unclear. We will probably never know for sure until it happens.
Correction
I personally tend to lean toward both of these passages correcting a misconception by the Thessalonian church. Based on Paul’s response, we can assume these believers thought that the last generation alive when Christ returned would be the only believers to witness the glory of it. Paul pulls back the curtain of future events to reveal an amazing truth!
Not only will the last generation on Earth witness Christ’s glorious return and triumph, but believers who have died will “be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (v. 17). Paul goes on to write that they should encourage one another with this truth. So, there is no doubt there were some in the church who were disturbed by these thoughts.
Paul’s message and purpose seems to be one of comfort, victory, and bravery. Whatever the case, we are called to face death without fear knowing that we will resurrect with Christ into immortal and flawless bodies as we celebrate His victory over evil. It’s going to be the best experience of our existence!