This series in 1 and 2 Thessalonians has been titled “With the end in mind” and as we’ve been studying, virtually every other verse in this letter is about the eschaton (the end times). But before you balk at the mention of “end times”, let’s take a look at what exactly Paul says to the Thessalonian church and why he says these things.
(A) First, dead believers will rise in resurrection power. (1 Thess 4:16)
Paul feels that this issue of the end times is an important topic to address in his letter (1 Thess 4:13-15). This is of importance because their entire life, and everything they do in life is headed in that direction. Everything in life and death is defined relative to this moment. This is the second most important event of all time. The first was when Jesus was crucified.
In a sense, everything that gives their present life meaning or no meaning will be determined by that final “eschaton” moment. That moment will show if their (and our) lives has been a waste of time. This end of all things is a weight that we want to drop on our hearts that displaces everything else and makes everything else in life seem small and insignificant relative to it.
Paul proceeds to describe what the “coming of the Lord” will look and sound like (1 Thess 4:15-16a). “The Lord himself will descend from heaven” (1 Thess 4:16a), and the use of the word “himself” eliminates the possibility of someone else or a mediator to come down. In the OT, the “angel of the Lord” is often sent to the OT figures. Here, Paul is eager to dispel a notion that a representative of the Lord will come. In 1 Thess 1:1, we’ve also been told that “the Lord” will be the man Jesus Christ.
He will come with a “cry of command” and the “voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (1 Thess 4:16b). It seems to be majestic and loud. Somehow, the Lord Himself will also have to be visible to all, in the sky. When Jesus comes, it will be a day of disruption (c.f. Acts 1:9-11, Matt 24:27-31). All our attention will be turned heaven-ward as we see and hear Him. We will have no time to look and indulge in petty things. The trumpet will announce the arrival of the King, but it would also be a victory trumpet. They will hear the sound of authority and victory. The King is coming and we are told to get ready for His return.
At this important event, the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thess 4:16b). Paul was eager to stress this especially in the preceding verses in 1 Thess 4:13-15. Death is that experience that no one has come back from. We know no one who has died and come back out, except Jesus Christ. The only one who has come back from the dead never to die again is Jesus Christ.
We do not like to think of our mortality. TVs barely show funerals unless it’s necessary. We don’t like to show sickness and death on our media. The world continues to hold up eternal youth and doesn’t like to consider the reality that awaits all of us.
Why does the dead rise? It is the dead that are in Christ that will rise (c.f. 1 Thess 3:13). They are joined to the Son of God who has conquered death. Because He lives, they too. Resurrection is a moment in the past that determines the future. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that raises those who are in Christ. And it isn’t just a spiritual experience. In 1 Cor 15:50-55, Paul writes about the certainty of a bodily resurrection. The promise of restoration to get the bodies that we always wanted. In that day, those who have never ran, will run to Jesus. Those who have never seen, will stare in the face of their Saviour. Those who are death on this side of heaven, will hear the words of Him who loves them. We sing about this, but someday, it will come true:
There is a hope that stands the test of time, that lives my eyes beyond the beckoning grave
To see the glory of a day divine, when I behold His face
When sufferings cease, and sorrows die, and every longing satisfied
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, for I am truly home
(C) Second, living believers will be raised in vindicated faith. (1 Thess 4:17)
Paul goes on to address “those who are alive” (1 Thess 4:17a) and three things will happen to them:
Caught up with them in the clouds (can also be translated as snatched
Meet the Lord in the air
Always be with the Lord
“Rapture theology” draws attention to this verse in the past 200 years. There’s also an idea of a secret rapture. The traditional understanding of this verse is that Jesus returns and is visible, and all Christians go to receive this reigning King. The main point here is not that we are raptured, but that we go out to meet and greet our Lord. What kind of people will do that? Many of us don’t feel the stake of our King’s victory. We want the salvation but we don’t really want to know what He has won for us. We think of heaven as a place with gold streets and think of the friends that we miss. But what about the King of Heaven? This verse calls us to be people who celebrate the victory of the King who bought salvation for them. When He comes, they will feel vindicated. There will be no more need for faith, because there is sight.
1 Thess 4:17 is a call for us to rejoice in the eschaton. We look forward to a day when our longings will be finally satisfied! “always be with the Lord” is a phrase that provides great comfort. Those who long for Him all their lives and have never seen Him, yet love Him, will finally be vindicated. The wait will be worth it.
Are we so satisfied with this life that Jesus is at best, more goodness? Our hearts ought to say that in Him is all goodness and apart from Him, we have nothing! It is this kind of believer and follower of Jesus that takes Ps 73:25-28 as the prayer of their hearts as they look forward to this moment. The eschaton is meant to stir us up for hope.
Read the command of 1 Thess 4:18. As the people look forward to that moment when Jesus returns as a reigning triumphant King, they are to keep encouraging one another with the words that point to what is to come. This also means that good eschatology is meant to be an encouragement! Therefore, Satan would be glad for us to have bad eschatology. Good eschatology is focused on the Lord Jesus, and the joy that comes when we see Him face to face. Bad eschatology is more focused on the details and the timetable but has nothing to do for our struggles, hurt, sins etc.
There are 4 main views of the end times, as summarised in this table:
Whatever your view of the end times, let’s use Matt 24 to help us identify two principles that help us think practically about the end times.
Put these together and our stand on the end times doesn’t really matter. What matters is whether we believe Jesus will come again, and when He comes again, we need to give an account of our lives.
We can be sure of one thing that there comes a day when Jesus finally and actually returns. In that moment, everything will fade away and the only that is important is Him. Are you ready for that day? Are you looking forward to that day? Does it put everything else in its context?
Paul closes this section with a specific command — “therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:18). Knowing about the end times is not just for knowledge’s sake, but is for encouragement!
How then, can we encourage one another with these words? We can say to those who minister and pour out their lives to people that don’t respond, and to those who struggle with church leaders that disappoint that Jesus will come again. All our struggles will be put in their context and we will have joy. One day Jesus will be back, and when He comes back, He will make all things right. Do you have healthy eschatology? Are you anticipating His return?