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1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thess. 4:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
Then
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
epeita (Greek #1899)
thereafter
KJV usage: after that(-ward), then.
Pronounce: ep'-i-tah
Origin: from 1909 and 1534
we
hemeis (Greek #2249)
we (only used when emphatic)
KJV usage: us, we (ourselves).
Pronounce: hay-mice'
Origin: nominative plural of 1473
which are alive
zao (Greek #2198)
to live (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Pronounce: dzah'-o
Origin: a primary verb
and remain
perileipo (Greek #4035)
to leave all around, i.e. (passively) survive
KJV usage: remain.
Pronounce: per-ee-li'-po
Origin: from 4012 and 3007
shall be caught up
harpazo (Greek #726)
to seize (in various applications)
KJV usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Pronounce: har-pad'-zo
Origin: from a derivative of 138
together
hama (Greek #260)
properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association
KJV usage: also, and, together, with(-al).
Pronounce: ham'-ah
Origin: a primary particle
with
sun (Greek #4862)
with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV usage: beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.
Pronounce: soon
Origin: a primary preposition denoting union
them
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
q the clouds
nephele (Greek #3507)
properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud
KJV usage: cloud.
Pronounce: nef-el'-ay
Origin: from 3509
, to
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (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).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
meet
apantesis (Greek #529)
a (friendly) encounter
KJV usage: meet.
Pronounce: ap-an'-tay-sis
Origin: from 528
the Lord
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
in
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (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).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
the air
aer (Greek #109)
"air" (as naturally circumambient)
KJV usage: air. Compare 5594.
Pronounce: ah-ayr'
Origin: from ἄημι (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow)
: and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
so
houto (Greek #3779)
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
KJV usage: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
Pronounce: hoo'-to
Origin: οὕτως (hoo'-toce) adverb from 3778
shall we
esomai (Greek #2071)
will be
KJV usage: shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Pronounce: es'-om-ahee
Origin: future of 1510
ever
pantote (Greek #3842)
every when, i.e. at all times
KJV usage: alway(-s), ever(-more).
Pronounce: pan'-tot-eh
Origin: from 3956 and 3753
be
esomai (Greek #2071)
will be
KJV usage: shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Pronounce: es'-om-ahee
Origin: future of 1510
r with
sun (Greek #4862)
with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV usage: beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.
Pronounce: soon
Origin: a primary preposition denoting union
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
.
q
Rev. 11:12• 12And I heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up here; and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. (Rev. 11:12)
r
John 14:3• 3and if I go and shall prepare you a place, I am coming again and shall receive you to myself, that where I am ye also may be. (John 14:3)

More on:

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Air,
Cloud,
Rapture of the Saints

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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we which.
1 Thess. 4:15• 15(For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that *we*, the living, who remain to the coming of the Lord, are in no way to anticipate those who have fallen asleep; (1 Thess. 4:15)
;
1 Cor. 15:52• 52in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and *we* shall be changed. (1 Cor. 15:52)
caught.
1 Kings 18:12• 12And it shall come to pass when I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of Jehovah shall carry thee whither I know not; and when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will kill me; and I thy servant fear Jehovah from my youth. (1 Kings 18:12)
;
2 Kings 2:11,16• 11And it came to pass as they went on, and talked, that behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire; and they parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into the heavens.
 16and said to him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty valiant men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest perhaps the Spirit of Jehovah have taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some ravine. And he said, Ye shall not send. (2 Kings 2:11,16)
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Acts 8:39• 39But when they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no longer, for he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)
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2 Cor. 12:2‑4• 2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.
 3And I know such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)
 4that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:2‑4)
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Rev. 11:12• 12And I heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up here; and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. (Rev. 11:12)
;
Rev. 12:5• 5And she brought forth a male son, who shall shepherd all the nations with an iron rod; and her child was caught up to God and to his throne. (Rev. 12:5)
in the.
Matt. 26:64• 64Jesus says to him, *Thou* hast said. Moreover, I say to you, From henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matt. 26:64)
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Mark 14:62• 62And Jesus said, *I* am, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62)
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Acts 1:9• 9And having said these things he was taken up, they beholding him, and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
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Rev. 1:7• 7Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they which have pierced him, and all the tribes of the land shall wail because of him. Yea. Amen. (Rev. 1:7)
and so.
Psa. 16:11• 11Thou wilt make known to me the path of life: thy countenance is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. (Psa. 16:11)
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Psa. 17:15• 15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psa. 17:15)
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Psa. 49:15• 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah. (Psa. 49:15)
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Psa. 73:24• 24Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and after the glory, thou wilt receive me. (Psa. 73:24)
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Isa. 35:10• 10And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isa. 35:10)
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Isa. 60:19‑20• 19The sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but Jehovah shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
 20Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. (Isa. 60:19‑20)
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John 12:26• 26If any one serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall be *my* servant. And if any one serve me, him shall the Father honour. (John 12:26)
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John 14:3• 3and if I go and shall prepare you a place, I am coming again and shall receive you to myself, that where I am ye also may be. (John 14:3)
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John 17:24• 24Father, as to those whom thou hast given me, I desire that where I am they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)
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2 Cor. 5:8• 8we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)
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Phil. 1:23• 23But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, for it is very much better, (Phil. 1:23)
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2 Peter 3:13• 13But, according to his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)
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Rev. 7:14‑17• 14And I said to him, My lord, *thou* knowest. And he said to me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
 15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sits upon the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.
 16They shall not hunger any more, neither shall they thirst any more, nor shall the sun at all fall on them, nor any burning heat;
 17because the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them, and shall lead them to fountains of waters of life, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:14‑17)
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Rev. 21:3‑7,22‑23• 3And I heard a loud voice out of the heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall tabernacle with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God.
 4And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall not exist any more, nor grief, nor cry, nor distress shall exist any more, for the former things have passed away.
 5And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he says to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.
 6And he said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that thirsts of the fountain of the water of life freely.
 7He that overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be to him God, and he shall be to me son.
 22And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb.
 23And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine for it; for the glory of God has enlightened it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. (Rev. 21:3‑7,22‑23)
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Rev. 22:3‑5• 3And no curse shall be any more; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him,
 4and they shall see his face; and his name is on their foreheads.
 5And night shall not be any more, and no need of a lamp, and light of the sun; for the Lord God shall shine upon them, and they shall reign to the ages of ages. (Rev. 22:3‑5)
• The translation of all the changed saints is simultaneous. The grief of such as doubted the full blessedness of those meanwhile put to sleep was really ignorance and unbelief; for even if they could not anticipate the fresh revelation from the Lord, they ought, from their divinely given knowledge of His love and of His redemption, to have counted on His grace towards the dead saints no less than towards the living. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)
• The resurrection of the sleeping saints is called a resurrection out of, or from among, the dead; which could not be said of the resurrection of the wicked, for they leave no more to be raised. Thus both classes are raised separately, and the traditional idea of one general resurrection of the dead is fictitious. Dan. 12 speaks of a resuscitation of Israel, Matt. 25 of the Lord's judgment of the nations: neither refers to the literally dead. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)
• We leave the earth precisely as He left it. This is very precious. There is this difference: He went up in His own full right, He ascended; as to us, His voice calls the dead, and they come forth from the grave, and, the living being changed, all are caught up together. (“1 Thessalonians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• The proper expectation of the Christian is entirely separated from all which follows the manifestation of Christ and which is in connection with the government of this world. (“1 Thessalonians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• Death is not the Bridegroom, but merely a servant (for all things are ours) for ushering us, absent from the body, to be present with the Lord. But here it is no mere individual going after dying to Him, but His coming, the Conqueror of death, for us all, whether sleeping or waking, that we may be changed into His glorious image even in the body. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
then *we*, the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall be always with the Lord.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
then we, the living that remain, shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet [the] Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.