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1 Thessalonians 4:15
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The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen1 asleep, lest you sorrow aas others bwho have no hope.  
14 For aif we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him bthose who sleep in Jesus.  
15 For this we say to you aby the word of the Lord, that bwe who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are1 asleep.  
16 For athe Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with bthe trumpet of God. cAnd the dead in Christ will rise first.  
17 aThen we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them bin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus cwe shall always be with the Lord.  
18 aTherefore comfort one another with these words. 
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< 1 Thessalonians 4:14   1 Thessalonians 4:16 >>

What Does 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Mean?

In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, the timing of the Lord's coming is emphasized, stating that those alive at His return will not precede those who have died. This event is marked by Christ descending from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God, as noted in verse 16. Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, it is clarified that at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and all will be changed instantly. These passages affirm a single, definitive moment for this transformation and resurrection, aligning with the coming of the Lord as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15.




1 Thessalonians 4:15-16

Paul mentions the exact timing of this event twice! In verse 15, he says that this occurs at "the coming of the Lord," and in verse 16, Christ "descend[s] from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God." To combat these clear time markers, Protestants have to say that Christ returns twice and that there are two different blowings of the trumpet!

Paul himself quashes this argument in I Corinthians 15:50-52:

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Caught Up in the Rapture

Related Topics: Jesus Christ's Return | Jesus Christ's Second Coming | Kingdom of God | Rapture | Resurrection | Resurrection to Immortal Life | Return of Jesus Christ | Second Coming of Christ | Twinkling of an Eye




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing 1 Thessalonians 4:15:

Deuteronomy 8:3
Ezekiel 18:4
Matthew 4:4
Matthew 6:13
Mark 1:14-15
Luke 23:43
1 Corinthians 15:50-52
2 Timothy 3:15
Revelation 2:11
Revelation 11:3
Revelation 20:11-13
Revelation 20:11-15


 
<< 1 Thessalonians 4:14   1 Thessalonians 4:16 >>

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