Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
himself—in all the Majesty of His presence in person, not by deputy.
descend—even as He ascended (Acts 1:11).
with—Greek, "in," implying one concomitant circumstance attending His appearing.
shout—Greek, "signal shout," "war shout." Jesus is represented as a victorious King, giving the word of command to the hosts of heaven in His train for the last onslaught, at His final triumph over sin, death, and Satan (Revelation 19:11-21).
the voice of . . . archangel—distinct from the "signal shout." Michael is perhaps meant (Judges 1:9; Revelation 12:7), to whom especially is committed the guardianship of the people of God (Daniel 10:13).
trump of God—the trumpet blast which usually accompanies God's manifestation in glory (Exodus 19:16; Psalms 47:5); here the last of the three accompaniments of His appearing: as the trumpet was used to convene God's people to their solemn convocations (Numbers 10:2, Numbers 10:10; Numbers 31:6), so here to summon God's elect together, preparatory to their glorification with Christ (Psalms 50:1-5; Matthew 24:31; I Corinthians 15:52).
shall rise first—previously to the living being "caught up." The "first" here has no reference to the first resurrection, as contrasted with that of "the rest of the dead." That reference occurs elsewhere (Matthew 13:41-42, Matthew 13:50; John 5:29; I Corinthians 15:23-24; Revelation 20:5-6); it simply stands in opposition to "then," I Thessalonians 4:17. FIRST, "the dead in Christ" shall rise, THEN the living shall be caught up. The Lord's people alone are spoken of here.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Thessalonians 4:16:
Isaiah 66:6
Isaiah 66:16
Daniel 12:2
John 11:43-44
1 Corinthians 15:23
1 Corinthians 15:52
2 Corinthians 5:2
2 Corinthians 5:8
2 Corinthians 5:8
1 Thessalonians 4:13
1 Thessalonians 4:14
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Hebrews 12:23
Jude 1:9
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