The Resurrection and Everlasting Life
The Resurrection and Everlasting Life
Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 presents a powerful statement of belief regarding the resurrection and everlasting life.
Do not be Ignorant
In his introduction Paul emphasizes that he does not want believers to be ignorant about what happens to loved ones who are now dead. Paul refers to these loved ones as being 'asleep in Jesus,' or 'dead in Christ.'
Here is what he says.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them 'which are asleep', that you do not sorrow as others do who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also 'which sleep in Jesus' will God bring with him.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we 'which are alive' and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them 'which are 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:
17 Then we 'which are alive' and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Living and the Dead
Looking closely at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, we note the following phrases that Paul uses repeatedly.
FIRSTLY -- Those who have died, Paul refers to as those --
- which are asleep (v 13)
- which sleep in Jesus (v 14)
- which are asleep (v 15)
- dead in Christ (v 16)
SECONDLY -- Those who are still living on the earth, he refers to as those --
- which are alive (v 15, 17)
Nowhere does he say that the dead are living in heavenly bliss. According to Paul the dead in Christ are dead. They shall rise in the resurrection, and with the living shall be caught up together to meet the Lord.
Paul's clearly identifies which group is dead and which is alive.
He makes it equally clear that 'all believers who have died' before the Lord's return will not miss out on a place in his kingdom. Amen.
First Thessalonians and the Nicene Creed are Complementary
First Thessalonians chapter 4 and the Nicene Creed complement one another beautifully. They totally agree concerning the momentous events at the close of this world's history. The coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the gathering of all believers into all the beauty, fullness, and glory of God's eternal kingdom. So shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Nicene Creed deals with -
- Jesus' coming again
- Judging the living and the dead (sometimes rendered as 'the quick and the dead')
- The resurrection of the dead
1 Thessalonians 4 in verses 13-18 deals with the same points.
- Jesus' coming again (15-17)
- The ascension of the living (15,17)
- The resurrection of the dead (13-14, 16)
First Thessalonians 4 in verses 13, 14 deals with the dead. In Christian terms they are asleep -- they sleep in Jesus. Although being dead they may be awakened -- by Jesus.
The Dead are Dead
Repeatedly in Scripture, God presents the dead as simply being asleep.
John 11:11-14
Jesus said to them, our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may wake him out of sleep. Then his disciples said, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking a rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead.Acts 13:36
David fell asleep, he was buried, and his body decayed.1 Thessalonians 4:13
Do not be ignorant concerning them which are asleep.
They shall awake
They shall awake from death as if they arose from sleep.
John 11:25
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."1 Corinthians 15: 52
In the resurrection -- at the last trump the dead shall be raised.
Sorrow or Hope?
First Thessalonians 4 in verses 13, 14 deals with the dead. Paul did not want the Christian believers to sorrow as do those who have no hope. So he continues the narrative and explains in verse 16 the glorious resurrection of those who had died trusting in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
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 himself shall descend from heaven
- with a shout
- with the voice of the archangel
- with the trump of God
- the dead in Christ shall rise first. (16)
Sleep in Jesus -- Dead in Christ
One verse needs special attention as it creates controversy.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which 'sleep in Jesus' will God bring with him.
Some say that God brings from heaven those who 'sleep in Jesus.' And although Paul says they are dead, many excitedly say they are already alive in heaven.
From exactly where does God bring the 'dead in Christ'?
Illustration
I grew up on a farm with four brothers and four sisters. Between the regular morning and evening milking, the dairy cows would be put into various paddocks to graze throughout the day. While actual details varied from day to day, the regular scenario remained.
At primary school age, it was my duty to bring the cows in for the afternoon milking at 5.00 pm. I would leave the house, walk down past the dairy, and continue on past the hay-shed to the well-paddock where the cows were secured. I would open the 'well-paddock gate' and bring the cows home.
It was a straight-forward, every-day scenario.
When I brought the cows in for milking, no-one ever thought that the cows had spent all day with me either in the house, or in the class-room at school. I simply brought the cows home when it was time to do so.
I had the power to open the 'well-paddock gate' and bring them home.
Jesus has the 'keys of death and Hades' (Revelation 1:18), therefore he has the power to raise the 'dead in Christ' and bring them home, which he will accomplish at the appropriate time.
Christ has far greater ability than mine. Where I could open a gate on the family farm, he can open graves.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
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.
Glorious Occasion
The dead in Christ rise when they are called by the Lord. They are resurrected at the time they are called, not before. In God's eyes they are simply sleeping waiting for the wakeup call.
This event is reminiscent of an earlier resurrection where Jesus stood outside the tomb of His friend Lazarus. Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (John 11:43) At Jesus' command a lone figure emerged from the tomb. It was Lazarus -- alive!
Jesus lovingly restored Lazarus to his family. What a glorious reunion!
In what ways does the joy, the glory, and the wonder of Lazarus' resurrection reflect the coming majesty of the resurrection of the redeemed of all ages? Who can compare it? The first is glorious -- the latter infinitely glorious.
And all this is made possible because Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. Amen. (Revelation 1:18)