We Which Are Alive and Remain (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

(Preface regarding studying the Bible)

Then: The then is establishing the order of events that are associated with the rapture. As we covered
previously, there are three particular sounds that herald the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for his
church: (1) a shout, (2) the voice of the archangel, and (3) the trump of God (v. 16). All of these
things take place prior to our being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. But also prior to our
catching up is the resurrection of the dead in Christ.

So before we, which are alive and remain, are caught up to meet the Lord in the air the Lord will
descend from heaven with (1) a shout, (2) the voice of the archangel, (3) and the trump of God,
and (4) then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Notice that the Holy Spirit makes a point to let you
know that them which sleep in Jesus come up before were caught up.

Something to think about: This resurrection of the dead in Christ is compared to the resurrection of
Christ in this passage in verse 14 by saying even so. And by the way our resurrection is
compared to the resurrection of Christ in 1 Cor 15:35-50. (For instance, our resurrection body is
just like the glorified body of Jesus Christ.) I dont want to confuse you or upset you, but Im
reminded when I consider the resurrection of Jesus Christ that he didnt shoot through the ceiling
of the Garden Tomb and touch down in heaven. And not only that, according to Matt 27:53 the
Bible tells us that after Jesus Christ rose, many graves were opened, and many of the bodies of the
saints which slept arose, and they didnt shoot up into heaven either. The Bible tells us that they
actually went into the holy city and appeared unto many!

We: The we here refers to the brethren of verse 13. I want to remind you this passage is aimed
directly at saved people only! Now if you always read the Bible (particularly the Pauline epistles)
and you read every word and every verse as if they were written for somebody else Id have some
genuine concern about your faith. If you can read a passage like this and its like reading Grimms
Fairy Tales, or the Sunday Morning News, you really need to examine yourself and find out if
youre a part of this we. When you and I read this verse we ought to read it like Paul writes it
and say we!

Alive and remain: Notice it didnt just say alive. The Holy Spirit has placed every word and phrase just
where it belongs and it is never without significance. The wording here is additional comfort as we
consider the plight of them which sleep in Jesus. It does describe those who have died in the faith
as the dead in Christ, but only after it told us that they fell asleep. Because spiritually speaking a
child of God never dies. Thats why the wording here is important. When your physical life ceases
your spiritual life continues on because the life which Christ imparted to us at salvation was eternal
life. Those that fell asleep in Jesus are still alive spiritually, the difference is that they dont
remain in this body as you and I do, they have departed, thus this verse is speaking of us who are
alive and remain.

Shall be caught up: Heres the rich part. This is our catching away. The only other time we find this
terminology in the Bible is in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 and Revelation 12:5. The first reference is to
Pauls trip to the third heaven and we cant really tell much about that because Paul couldnt even
tell us if he was in the body or out of the body when it happened. The other reference is most likely
a reference to the ascension of Jesus Christ from Acts 1 and in Acts 1 He is received up in a cloud
in full view of His disciples (see 1 Tim 3:16 and compare to John 14:3, Mark 16:19).
 When Elijah was taken up into heaven Elisha watched it happen (2 Kings 2:12). When the two
witnesses are taken up into heaven in Revelation 11:12 (after hearing the same command well
hear mind you) their enemies beheld them ascending up.

Now weve all been taught that this is a sudden, sort of instantaneous thing where were here one
moment and in heaven the next moment. (Web video) And it could be. Ive often thought and even
preached that at the rapture there would be a great thunderous noise (the shout from the Lord) and
the church would be suddenly gone leaving behind only a pile of clothes and a puddle of blood. It
could be sudden. Phillip was carried away in the spirit in this fashion in Acts 8. Maybe the greatest
argument for such a catching away is Enoch, because were told that he was not, for God took him;
he was translated and was not found. So it could be sudden. However, the great Biblical proof for
such a thing is the moment twinkling of an eye statement of 1 Cor 15:52.

The context is not the catching away; that is the subject of 1 Thess 4:17. The context is the change
of our bodies.

Philippians 3:20-21
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to
the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Together: Regardless of how quickly all this takes place (and maybe you can tell that Im not convinced it
all happens as swiftly as weve been taught), we are caught up together with them that have been
raised. The dead in Christ rise first, but were all caught up together.

In the clouds: literal clouds in the sky (kind of like the ascension of Christ, Acts 1)

to meet the Lord in the air: that is the blessed hope (John 14:3)

In the air: not in heaven, but in the air. Perhaps the Judgment Seat of Christ takes place in the air

And so shall we ever be with the Lord: Halleluiah!

Dont miss the last verse!

Does the catching away of the church comfort you?
Have you ever used this truth to comfort someone else?

What are you waiting for?

Roderick: The Holy Ghost spoke: Look at what different ones are waiting for. Guys are waiting to hear
from family, some are waiting to hear from the courts, some, because of their circumstances are waiting to
hear from heaven, but how many are like David when he said:
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch
for the morning. (Ps 130:6)
Simeon: waiting for the consolation of Israel.
Joseph of Arimethea: waiting for the Kingdom of God.
What about you: waiting for a phone call, waiting for a big break, waiting for a blessing to satisfy
self and feel good?
Our souls should be waiting for his Son from heaven.