1 Thessalonians 4
My comments are in Blue
andRed font.
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep(practice willful sin),
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so(in the same way)
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring(lead)
with him(God will bring about their resurrection from sinfulness (Colossians 3:1) in the same way that He brought about Jesus physical resurrection, Romans 6:10&11).
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain(we who remain faithful)
in the Coming(in the presence)
of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.(approach or come unto)- Here is the key portion, The Lord forbids Christians from approaching (going before) these sleeping brethren. Why? Because He will personally bring them back to an "alert" condition by using the discipline that accompanies the Day of the Lord. The application of this judgement will "wake them". This is identicle to the admonition in 1 Corinthains 5:11. Don't fellowship with willfully sinning Christians, don't even eat with them, the Lord will deal with them personally.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.(The Lord)
(not the faithful believers)
will correct the sinful behavior through the judgment referred to as the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2).Then after their discipline the sinning believers will stop their willful sin and can be welcomed into fellowship with their brethren who have remained faithful and in the presence of the Lord. This concept is found in 1 Corinthians 5:11):
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds(presence of God),
to meet the Lord in the air(where satan is prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2):
and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 5 1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.=================================================================================
Paul is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 to counsel His students to avoid sleep. Does this mean that to be a faithful Christian we are to give up sleep? Yes – at least the kind of sleep Paul is referring to in these verses.
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
This type of “sleep” is then the type that causes a person to not be alert or sober.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 refers to people who are asleep and the same sleep is referred to in 1 Thessalonians 5:7. The subject is the state of those people called the “sleepers” and that subject has not changed as the transition is made from chapter 4 to chapter 5. The proof that there has been no change in topic is seen as the word “them” is used in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. The use of this word suggests a continuation of the conversation concerning the group of people mentioned in chapter 4.
This means that the “sleep” referred to is actually the sinful condition of some of Paul’s fellow Christians.
This same “sleep” is likened to being “dead in Christ” in 1 Thessalonians 4 verses 16. This can be called being dead in sins and transgressions, Ephesians 2:1.
The method of change from “sleeping” to being “awake” is alluded to in these verses. That method is attention directed towards the sound of the “Trumpet”.
The Lord descends in the sound of the Trumpet. He descends in a shout or "command" and He descends in the voice of the chief messanger. This is not a physical descent.
Jesus is the first and the Last. He is the personification of the sound of the trumpet, Revelation 1:10-18.
-- New American Standard Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,
-- New American Standard Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
1 Thessalonians 4:16 --- |3754| Because |0848| himself |3588| the |2962| Lord |1722| with |2752| a word |1722| of command |5456| by a voice |0743| of an archangel, |2532| and |1722| with |4533| a trumpet |2316| of God, |2597| will descend |0575| from |2772| Heaven, |2532| and |3588| the |3498| dead |1722| in |5547| Christ |0450| will rise again
To literally interpret an obvious “parable” is to read the bible through the eyes of the unlearned Christians or unbelievers, per the relation of a message in tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:11 and 16.
A parable is a “mystery” or message expressed in Tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:2 and Matthew 13:14. This shows us that Paul intended the reader or recipient of this letter to understand that he was veiling this information in a “mystery” and not speaking literally.
-- New American Standard Matthew 13:13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
-- New American Standard Matthew 13:14 "And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, `You will keep on hearing, but will not understand;
A literal interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 distorts the meaning of these verses in order to suggest what is commonly called a “rapture”. A mystery or parable is intended to allow believers to understand and to hide the true meaning from unbelievers and unlearned or "ungifted" believers, 1 Corinthians 14:16 and 23.
1 Thessalonians 4 and 5 are referring to “sleep” as the condition of being willfully involved in sin.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15 the group of “sleepers” is contrasted to the group who has remained in the coming or “presence” of the Lord.
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 5:10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
It can sound here as if the term “sleep” is physical death since it is said that being absent from the body it being present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8 and 9. This is however not the way that Paul uses the term “sleep” in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Paul tells His students not to “sleep”, making this type sleep a choice that they had.
The term “sleep” in 1 Thessalonians 5 is related to being asleep in sins and transgressions. Since this term is so close to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (only a few sentances away) I am assuming that Paul was using the term “sleep” in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 thru 18 in the same way which would be an allusion to willful sinful behavior.
The term “sleep” appears to be used to refer to physical death in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Although 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 refer to the "dead rising" etc. Although the wording about a trumpet is the same in verses they are discussing two different topics.
Most popular explanations of these verses must change the wording (sometimes without telling the reader) in order to support a "rapture theory" etc. They must infer that the Apostle did not know what He was talking about. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Paul included Himself in the group of people remaining until the Coming of the Lord.
Did Paul think he was going to live throughout History to experience a future event - No. Did he think Jesus was going to come in the clouds during his lifetime - No.
According to these verses Paul knew what He was writing about, that being that he would experience the coming or presence of the Lord. In fact Paul was experiencing the so-called "coming" at that time, according to verse 15. This verse tells us that Paul was remaining or abiding in the coming (presence) of the Lord.
If we hold to the inerrancy of scripture we cannot discount this statement or merely suggest that Paul was overzealous and mistaken. The "one time future event theory" must be our position if we hold to the contemporary opinion concerning the Second Coming of Christ. But that assumes that the Apostle Paul did not understand the "coming" of the Lord.
Rather than Paul being mistaken it is much more likely that our contemporary Christian opinion is incorrect with regard to the "coming" of the Lord being a one time future event.
I do not think that Paul misunderstood the nature of the coming of the Lord. He knew that He would experience the indwelling of the Lord in His lifetime. This indwelling of the Lord is the "Presence" or "Coming" of the Lord, Acts 3:19-21.
This of course means that I believe that Paul understood that he would experience the "Coming or presence, of the Lord". The vast majority of contemporary Christians do not agree with this. This is a very precarious position and I do have misgivings about this assertion. However to discount this opinion I must state that Paul did not understand the nature of the coming of the Lord. If I adopted this opinion I would be in agreement with the vast majority of contemporary Christians and in disagreement with the words of scripture. I will not knowingly disagree with scripture.
This difficulty is completely done away with when the word "Coming" is translated as the word "Presence".
The word translated “coming” can just as accurately be translated as “presence” as is shown in the following definition from the Strong’s concordance.
3952. parousia parousia, par-oo-see'-ah
from the present participle of 3918; a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:--coming, “presence”.
To understand these verses a few adjustments in translation must be made and the basis for these adjustments must be understood as accurate translation. As the verses which require alternate translation are studied the reasons and the accuracy of the new wording will be shown to be equally as accurate as the original translation.
A person should understand that the translation from Greek to English is not exact. Each word can be translated accurately and defined accurately by several English words.
When looking closely at the verses in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 beginning at verse 13 we can understand the following -
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.
Paul is writing to His brethren and encouraging them not to grieve over those who are "asleep" as others did. The Sadducees denied the resurrection and can be considered those who have no hope of a resurrection, Acts 23:8.
Verse 14 further defines those who "sleep" as “the Christians who have fallen asleep in Jesus”.
So we know that these people were Jesus followers before they fell asleep.
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
We also now know from verse 14 that God the Father will do to those who “sleep” just as He did with Jesus, they will be resurrected from this death. This is evidenced through the use of the phrase “even so” which means “in like manner”.
They will be brought back to life or resurrected. The problem is that they have fallen asleep in sin and seperated themselves from the presence of Christ.
The ”sleepers” were believers before they fell “asleep”. They have already repented and Jesus was sent to them (Acts 3:20), and they had began their spiritual resurrection from being dead in sin.
We know that those who are physically dead or absent from their body are present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 2:6. Christian tradition has developed an elaborate system of thought which involves the disembodied spirit of a believer being reunited with their body at the Second Coming of Christ. However Jesus did not possess a body before He was born to Mary, as is seen in Hebrews 10:5. That is however another subject for another time.
This theory requires a lot of mental gymnastics – and whoever originally conceived it was very creative.
I feel that the descent or visitation of Christ that is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4 is intended for the discipline of the Christian. I say this because the dead in Christ are said to meet Christ and the living saints when Jesus resurrects them from their “Sleep”. There is no mention of Paul dying but there is a mention of His being alive and remaining. Paul says that He will be united with these resurrected “sleepers” and he also includes Himself in the group of those remaining, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. This being the case the "sleepers", having been reunited with Paul who was alive, must also be alive and meet the Lord.
Both groups will then be with the Lord forever. The Lord has said that he will never leave the faithful Christian in Hebrews 13:5.
It is said that death cannot separate a person from the love of Christ, Romans 8:39. This is not the seperation of a "sinful person" or "sleeper" from the love of Christ but from the "presence" of the Christ.
These verses do not speak of the loss of salvation, but the exact opposite. They illustrate that Jesus will bring a "sinful" believing Christian back into His presence through the discipline which occurs during the period of time referred to as the "Day of the Lord".
-- New American Standard -- 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.
The Greek word “Coming” in verse 15 can be accurately translated as “Presence” as is seen in the above reference from the Strong’s concordance. The word “until” is generally translated as the English word “in” as is seen from the following reference -
1519. eiv eis, ice
a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
With these valid adjustments in translation verse 15 can now accurately be read as follows ---
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain “until” (In the) “coming” (Presence) of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep (fallen into sin).
Those who have fallen asleep in Jesus are separated and made to appear distinct from those who have “remained in the presence of the Lord”. Those who are not in the “presence” of the Lord are those people referred to as having “fallen asleep” in Christ.
So to summarize what has been said so far -- there is one group who has remained in the presence of the Lord and one group who has forsaken the presence of the Lord and chosen willful sin.
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 4:16 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.
Verse 16 requires that the reader remember that Paul is telling his brethren why they should not grieve concerning those who have fallen asleep. The Lord will descend and deal with the brethren who “sleep” in Christ and have not remained in Jesus presence. These are described by the contemporary term of “backsliders”. They will ultimately “rise” after the Lord has intervened in their lives.
There is of course a method in which Jesus deals with these “sleeping Christians”. That method is described in 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 2 and 3 as the "birth pains" or “travail” which occurs during the “Day of the Lord”.
Here it is necessary to understand what Paul meant when He spoke of “rising”. Paul’s understanding of “rising” is seen in Colossians 3:1.
-- New American Standard Colossians 3:1 If then you have been “raised up with Christ”, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
This resurrection is clearly seen to be a progression as is understood from Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:11-13. In these verses Paul states with reference to the resurrection from the dead that He had not yet attained it but continued to strive towards it. This striving is happening in Paul's life on earth and the resurrection spoken about happens while a person is on earth.
Christians are described as being “risen” when they seek the things above where Jesus is seated, Colossians 3:1. It is seen that Christians begin their resurrection from the dead at conversion. Throughout their lives they should continue to strive towards the fulfillment of that resurrection. This is a resurrection from the condition of being dead in sins and transgressions.
A person described as being “asleep” is now seen to be Christian who has not remained in Jesus presence. This person requires divine intervention to “wake up” or stop sinning. They have not continued to seek the things, which are, as Colossians 3:1 suggests, “above where Jesus is seated”. Jesus intervention is necessary to help them continue what is called the “resurrection” from the dead or the first resurrection.
The new term introduced at this point is “wake up” or “awake”. In this context the state of being “awake” is seen to be one where a person does not dwell in darkness, 1 Thessalonians 5:5. Darkness in this verse is not a literal absence of the sun’s light, but the spiritual sinful condition of being separate from the light of Christ, John 8:12. This same thought of being in darkness can be expressed as a person who is not in the light of Jesus “presence” and not seeking the things that are above.
-- New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
-- New American Standard John 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."
It becomes clear that these people who “sleep” are not those who are physically dead but are those Christians who have not remained in the spiritual condition called the "presence" of the Lord. They have fallen “asleep” or fallen back into sin.
Keep in mind that the "Coming of the Lord" is accurately translated "Presence of the Lord". This understanding prevents many misunderstandings in this area of Christian doctrinal interpretation.
Paul tells His brethren in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 not to grieve over those, which are asleep in Jesus.
God will “raise” the “sleeping Christians” or as 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “bring” or “bring forth” those sleepers.
The word bring can and is translated as “bring forth” (Strongs word number 71) in two instances in the KJV.
71 agw ago ag’-o a primary word; ; v AV-bring 45, lead 12, go 7, bring forth 2, misc 5, vr bring 1; 72
The term “bring them forth with Jesus” refers to God helping them progress in their spiritual resurrection just as He physically raised Jesus from the dead.
Philippians 1:6 illustrates what is happening and being described in these verses from 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians.
-- New American Standard Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it "until" (in or during) the day of Christ Jesus.
God is finishing the good work that He began in the lives of the backslidden brethren by initiating the “retribution” or the judgment of the “Day of the Lord”. The fallen brethren will be perfected or brought forth into the resurrected life of Christ as a result of this judgement. This is more clearly understood when seen from the perspective of 1 Corinthians 11:32.
-- New American Standard 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned along with the world.
To further identify this so-called “sleep” notice that in 1 Thessalonians 5: 6 the brethren are encouraged not to “sleep”.
Paul encourages the brethren not to sleep as those who are "dead in Christ" do. The admonition keep themselves from “sleeping" suggests they have the choice of whether to sleep or remain awake. It becomes clear then that the aforementioned “sleeping” Christians would have previously and “willfully” chosen to go to “sleep”.
The word “willfully” is very important and pertains directly to the way in which Jesus will descend to deal with these sinful Christians because after conversion willful sin brings judgment, Hebrews 10:26.
Paul tells the people that God will teach the sinning brethren not to sin. In scriptural terminology this refers to bringing about their resurrection from spiritual death.
The Christians who (as 1 Thessalonians 4:15 suggests) have remained in the presence (Coming) of the Lord are told not to "come unto" (the meaning of "phthano"the word translated "prevent" means to (Come unto), those Christians who are currently asleep. This is in keeping with 1 Corinthians 5:11, which instructs Christians not to eat or fellowship with willfully sinful brethren.
Jesus will Himself will wake the "sleepers" through the application of the discipline of the Lord referred to as the "Day of the Lord", which is carried out by the thief during the period of spiritual darkness called night, in which the disobedient Christian is asleep.
Sinful Christians are not to be condemned by the faithful followers of Jesus. They are to be gently corrected as we are told in Galatians 6:1.
-- New American Standard Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Below is the definition of the Greek word translated "Prevent" in the King James Version of the Bible(KJV).
5348. fyanw phthano, fthan'-o apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at:--(already) attain, come, prevent.
It is very important to understand that Paul is relaying a "command" from the Lord Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 4:15. Jesus is saying that the faithful Christians are not to "come unto" their sleeping brethren, He will bring them back to an alert condition. The brethren who remain awake and in Jesus presence are right in their relationship with God and the "sleepers" need correction, which Jesus will bring about if the "sleepers" continue to believe or remain in the faith.
If the sleepers do not respond to "gentle correction" leave them for Jesus to deal with through judgment. This is in keeping with the concept of coming out of Jerusalem (the church about to be judged) when you see impending judgment, so as not to participate in her plagues.
New American Standard 1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until (In) the coming (Presence) of the Lord, shall not precede (come unto) those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
Those that are dead in Christ are said to “rise” first. This resurrection must take place before something can happen. This “something” that must take place first is their resurrection. After their resurrection occurs or more properly “is resumed” (since they were in Christ before they fell asleep) they can then join or meet their brethren in the presence of the Lord.
This means that when Paul included Himself in the group of people remaining until (in) the Coming (presence) of the Lord he was not confused. Most people think that because Paul expected to be alive when the "Coming" occured that He was simply overzealous. They think Paul expected Jesus to appear in the clouds in His generation. The Coming of Christ Jesus is a spiritual occurence that happens or begins at conversion and does not end. Jesus continues to come into our lives forever, Isaiah 9:7.
Every person and generation is given the opportunity to be involved in the Second Coming of Christ as the generation of those people in Matthew 16:28 were.
Mt 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
-- New American Standard Isaiah 9:7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Those referred to as dead in Christ will first rise (rise from being dead in transgressions and sin) and then they will join those that have faithfully remained in the “presence” of the Lord. They will not join their brethren in the “presence” of the Lord until they have stopped willfully sinning.
Why must they “rise” first before they can join their brethren who have remained in the presence of the Lord? A person cannot remain awake (alert or in the “presence” or Coming of the Lord) while they are “asleep” or while they willfully remain in a sinful condition.
As to this sinful condition of “sleep” being a “willful” condition consider the following –
Right after Paul tells the faithful brethren that they will should not come to their “sleeping” or sinful brethren He then goes into a discussion concerning the “Day of the Lord” in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5.
The Day of the Lord is a time or period of recompense. It becomes clear that the willfully sinful brethren will be brought back to the “presence” of the Lord through the correction or recompense visited upon them during the time of recompense, 1 Corinthians 11:32.
As the Lord descends upon these sinful Christians He deals with them through judgement in order to correct the corrupt behavior.
This judgement of the “Day of the Lord” is described after the question about the Dead in Christ is addressed. This shows us that the “sleep” has been willful sin because the Day of the Lord (or the time of judgement) is to be expected only after a Christian “willfully” sins, Hebrews 10:26-27. This concept of willfully sinning is contrasted with the person who accidentally or ignorantly sins.
-- New American Standard Hebrews 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27. but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
During the time or period of recompense called the “Day of the Lord” only Jesus Christ will be exalted or considered acceptable. Everyone else will be humbled.
As far as mankind is concerned the correction of the "Day of the Lord" will not come unless the Christian falls away and proves to be a "man of sin". The correction visited upon them during the "Day of the Lord" then brings them back into the presence of the Lord.
Jesus will be the standard or measuring rod against which others will be judged.
Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
Isaiah 2:17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
Thus ends the rapture – smapture discussion.
Th – Th – That’s all folks!