Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
we which are alive . . . shall be caught up—after having been "changed in a moment" (I Corinthians 15:51-52). Again he says, "we," recommending thus the expression to Christians of all ages, each generation bequeathing to the succeeding one a continually increasing obligation to look for the coming of the Lord. [EDMUNDS].
together with them—all together: the raised dead, and changed living, forming one joint body.
in the clouds—Greek, "in clouds." The same honor is conferred on them as on their Lord. As He was taken in a cloud at His ascension (Acts 1:9), so at His return with clouds (Revelation 1:7), they shall be caught up in clouds. The clouds are His and their triumphal chariot (Psalms 104:3; Daniel 7:13). ELLICOTT explains the Greek, "robed round by upbearing clouds" [Aids to Faith].
in the air—rather, "into the air"; caught up into the region just above the earth, where the meeting (compare Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:6) shall take place between them ascending, and their Lord descending towards the earth. Not that the air is to be the place of their lasting abode with Him.
and so shall we ever be with the Lord—no more parting, and no more going out (Revelation 3:12). His point being established, that the dead in Christ shall be on terms of equal advantage with those found alive at Christ's coming, he leaves undefined here the other events foretold elsewhere (as not being necessary to his discussion), Christ's reign on earth with His saints (I Corinthians 6:2-3), the final judgment and glorification of His saints in the new heaven and earth.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Thessalonians 4:17:
Isaiah 66:16
Acts 8:39-40
1 Corinthians 6:14
1 Corinthians 15:51
2 Corinthians 5:8
2 Corinthians 5:8
1 Thessalonians 4:16
2 Thessalonians 2:1
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