1 Thessalonians 4:15

Verse of the Day Devotion.  1 Thessalonians 4:15.

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15     

This section in the Book of Thessalonians speaks about the return of Christ for His people. The Thessalonians probably did not know or understand about the end times. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Paul speaks of the departed Christians, those who have died. as having fallen asleep. This has the idea that it eventually will result in a future awakening of those who have died. Jews and even pagans sometimes spoke of death as ‘sleep’, but this is particularly apt for Christians, since for them the whole concept of death has been transformed into the idea of sleep. Therefore, since they are simply asleep, there is no reason to grieve as if a non-Christian dies. The contrast is not between one degree of sorrow and another, but between Christian hope and pagan despair.

Then Paul clarifies this hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Believers have a hope when Christians die; they will awaken. They will come back with Christ as He returns for the final time. And we see this in our focus verse. “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15. This may have been a revelation received from God. But however he received this word, what He is saying is that those who are alive at His return will not meet Jesus first in the air. The living will have no advantage over those fallen asleep; they will not meet the returning Christ ahead of the dead, nor will they have any precedence in the blessedness at His coming.

Then we read how Jesus will return. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This is the fullest description of His return in the New Testament, and when we reflect on the little that is said here we are warned against undue dogmatism about what will then happen. Paul’s main point is that it is none other than the Lord himself who will come. The dead in Christ shall rise first, then His followers will join them in the air with those who woke up. And the last part of this verse is the most wonderful. ‘and thus we shall always be with the Lord.’ The end of the age is not to be ushered in by some intermediary, but by God himself. “For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place. He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.” Micah 1:3. This will no doubt be awe-inspiring.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13 

There appears to be in Thessalonica a confusion regarding what happens to someone who dies.  Thessalonians were part of ancient Rome and believed as they did regarding the end, which was similar to what the ancient Greeks believed.  There were Christians in Thessalonica who were dying, and it appears that an adequate explanation of what takes place had not been given to them.  They no doubt had the idea they would be separated from them forever, therefore they grieved heavily, just as was done in Greek and Roman religions.  But Paul uses the term sleep rather than death to give them hope. And he uses the idea of informing them of how their prior beliefs have led them astray regarding the death of believers.  

First, he tells them they shall see them again.  “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15.  In fact, they will precede us who remain alive till He comes.  However, the main point here is that believers will be reunited with their brothers and sisters in Christ at the end.  This was radically different than either the Greek or Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife.  And this is why Paul said at the end of our focus verse that they did not need to grieve as those who do not believe in Christ, because they would be reunited with them.

He then goes on the explain when this will take place.  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  When Jesus comes back, He will first awaken those who have fallen asleep.  They will be raised first.  Then immediately afterwards, He will bring us who are alive at that time to Him, and together we shall be with the Lord forever, never to be separated.

This was a new idea to the Thessalonians.  They were troubled because were dying and they mourned heavily as the Greeks and Romans did, for they believed they would never see them again.  This was the reason for these verses, to comfort them with the truth that they would be reunited again when Christ returns.  At the time of this writing, they did not understand this completely.  Now they did, and Paul encourages them to share this with all believers.  “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

We must all grasp this truth.  Many Christians I know have fallen asleep, including family members, close friends, and fellow workers for the Lord.  Yes, I have grieved for them because I missed the opportunities to interact with them.  And I think of them often, which does sadden me some. However, I know that at some time in the future we will be reunited, and what a glorious time it will be.  The beauty of this event is that we will never be separated again.  It will be wonderful, and our fellowship will not be temporary but eternal.  This is the promise given us by Christ through Paul in these verses.  Therefore, let us do as Paul said, comfort each other with this truth.  Many can use some comfort during these times and we will in our lives as well.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.