A Parenthesis: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

From: The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians

Narrator: Chris Genthree

1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18 • 11 min. read • grade level: 9

The Lord’s Coming—The Rapture

Vss. 15-18—The aspect of the Lord’s coming that Paul has been speaking of in verse 14 is the Revelation, or the Appearing of Jesus Christ. When the Lord appears and judges the world in righteousness, “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” But in order for them to come with the Lord out of heaven, the sleeping saints will have had to be raised from the dead prior to His Appearing. Therefore, in a parenthesis (vss. 15-18), Paul explains how and when this will happen.

Vs. 15—He tells us that what he was about to say is something that he had received by “the Word of the Lord.” In mentioning “the Word,” Paul did not mean that he got it from the written Word of God—i.e. the Old Testament. Nor was he saying that he got it from the New Testament, for it had not been written yet. He meant that it was a special communication, or revelation, that had been given to him from the Lord. Thus, it was not something that was based on theological speculation or conjecture—it came from the Lord Himself! On these grounds, he assures the Thessalonians that “we which are alive and remain shall not prevent [go before] them which are asleep.” Thus, all of the saints (the living and the dead) will go into heaven in a glorified state together.

Vs. 16—Paul proceeds to tell us when this transfer to heaven will take place. He says, “The Lord Himself, with an assembling shout, with archangel’s voice, and with trump of God, shall descend from heaven,” and He will call us all away together. This is the believer’s “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)). It is what Bible teachers call the Rapture. (The word, “Rapture,” is found in the Latin Vulgate Bible, where the words, “caught up,” appear in our English Bibles.) Paul speaks of three things here:

• The “assembling shout”—This is to raise New Testament saints.

• The “archangelic voice”—This is to raise the Old Testament saints.

• The “trump of God”—This is to call away the saints who are alive and remain on earth.

The “shout” awakens “the dead in Christ.” These are Christians who have died down through the years since the day of Pentecost, when the Church began. We know that they are Christians because they are said to be “in Christ.” All believers from the beginning of time have a blessed relationship with the Lord, but only Christians are in this position before God. “In Christ,” literally means to be “in-Christ's-place-before-God.” In order for this to be so, Christ had to ascend to God’s right hand as a glorified Man and send the Holy Spirit, by which believers are linked to Him in that place at God’s right hand. Thus, to be "in Christ" is a distinctly Christian term denoting the believer’s link to Him as the Head of the new creation race. Old Testament saints are not said to have this connection with Christ, even though their souls and spirits are safe with Him in heaven.

Having died in faith, the souls and spirits of these dear Thessalonian believers have gone to heaven to be with Christ while their bodies sleep in the grave. All such could be called “the sleeping portion” of the Church. It is noteworthy that even though death has claimed their bodies, they are still referred to as being "in Christ." This shows that death has not changed a single thing as far as their standing before God is concerned. At the Lord's coming, these Christians will have their bodies rise out of their graves in a glorified state (1 Cor. 15:23, 51-56²³But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)
⁵¹Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56); Phil. 3:20-21²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹Who 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. (Philippians 3:20‑21)). This is part of the second phase of the first resurrection mentioned previously.

At the same time, the Lord will make Himself heard “with archangel’s voice.” The KJV implies that Michael the archangel will come with the Lord and will utter his voice, but it should be translated “with archangel’s voice.” This suggests that it will be the Lord’s own voice in the character of the archangel. It has to do with the Lord’s calling of the Old Testament saints out of their graves. He had often appeared to His people of old as "the Angel of the Lord," and now, at this moment, He will call them out of their graves with that same voice with which they are familiar. They will rise out of their graves at the same time the "dead in Christ" rise. Even though these are different classes of righteous persons, both the dead in Christ and the Old Testament saints will partake in the second phase of the first resurrection at the same time.

Hebrews 11:40⁴⁰God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40), confirms this, stating that the Old Testament saints will be “made perfect” at the same time as the New Testament saints are perfected. They are referred to as "just men made perfect" (Heb. 12:23²³To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)). Also, in connection with resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:23²³But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23) says, “Christ the first-fruits: afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” Those who “are Christ’s” are all the saints of God from the beginning of time who have died, not just the Church. Furthermore, in the book of Revelation, the 24 elders (who represent the New and Old Testament saints) are seen in heaven before the Tribulation judgments occur (Rev. 4-5¹²Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. ¹⁴And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. ¹And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. ²And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. ³And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. ⁴And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. ⁵And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. ⁶And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. ⁷And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. ⁸And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. ⁹And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (Revelation 5:12‑6:9)). The Old Testament saints, therefore, must have been raised sometime prior to the Tribulation period.

The following quotes from respected expositors teach this: “The shout of the Lord is for the Church, the voice of the archangel is for Israel, and the trump of God for [believing] men generally” (Scripture Truth, vol. 30, p. 60). L. M. Grant said, “‘With the voice of the archangel’ is added here. Only Michael is referred to in Scripture as the archangel (Jude 9⁹Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)). Whether there may be others we cannot say. Since Michael is called Israel’s prince (Dan. 10:21²¹But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)), and the dispensation of the Law was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Gal. 3:19¹⁹Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Galatians 3:19)), it has been suggested that the archangel’s voice may have some connection with the raising of Old Testament saints at the coming of the Lord” (First and Second Thessalonians, p. 29). H. A. Ironside said, “The archangel in the Old Testament is connected with the Jewish people in a very special way. ‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people’ (Dan. 12:1¹And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)). When the Lord Jesus comes in fulfillment of these words, not only the saints of this age, but also the saints of all past ages will be included. So the voice of Michael the archangel will be heard at the same time that the Lord gives the awakening shout” (Addresses on Thessalonians, p. 50). W. Macdonald said, “The voice of Michael, the archangel, is commonly understood as being a command for the O.T. saints, since he is so closely associated with Israel (Dan. 12:1¹And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1); Jude 9⁹Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9); Rev. 12:7⁷And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, (Revelation 12:7)). (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 2038). Paul merely alludes to the raising of the Old Testament saints here, in verse 16, because his thoughts and focus in this passage were on the Thessalonian believers who were sorrowing over their brethren (fellow Christians) who had died.

The “trump of God” signals the catching away of the living saints who will be “alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.” These will be “caught up together” with those who are raised from the dead (vs. 17). This is “the last trump” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:52⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52). It is not, however, “the great trumpet” in Isaiah 27:13¹³And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13), Matthew 24:31³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31), and Revelation 11:15¹⁵And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15), which has to do with the restoration of Israel after the Appearing of Christ. Paul then gives the assuring words: “So shall we ever be with the Lord.” (vs. 17b).

The Moment for Which All Other Moments Are Made

This will all happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)). H. E. Hayhoe used to say, “This is the MOMENT for which all other moments have been made.” It will be the first time the Church, which is the bride of Christ, will see its glorified, heavenly Bridegroom! Presently, the deceased saints are “with Christ” in heaven (Phil. 1:23²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23); 2 Cor. 5:8⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)), but they do not have their bodies to participate in what their spirits and their souls are enjoying. But when this moment arrives, we will be instantly glorified like Christ (Phil. 3:20-21²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹Who 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. (Philippians 3:20‑21)), and we will see Him face to face! An Old Testament type of this is seen in Isaac (a type of Christ) lifting up his eyes and Rebekah (a type of the Church) also lifting up her eyes, and they meet for the first time. When this happened, Rebekah “sprang off the camel”—a picture of the Rapture (Gen. 24:63-64⁶³And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. ⁶⁴And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. (Genesis 24:63‑64)).

And shall we see Thy face,

And hear

Thy heavenly voice,

Well known to us in present grace?

Well may our hearts rejoice.

With Thee in garments white,

Lord Jesus, we shall walk;

And spotless in that heavenly light,

Of all Thy sufferings talk.

L. F. #270

The Normal Christian Hope—To Be Called Away to Heaven Without Seeing Death

All through this passage regarding the Lord’s coming (the Rapture) Paul has included himself in this great hope, by stating “we.” He speaks from the perspective of it being the Christian’s normal posture, which is to be called away to heaven without seeing death (Rom. 8:11¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11); 2 Cor. 5:2²For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (2 Corinthians 5:2); Phil. 3:20-21²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹Who 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. (Philippians 3:20‑21); 2 Thess. 2:1¹Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)). Being a special vessel and an apostle, it was revealed to Paul at the end of his life that he would be called to heaven through death; thus, he would not be among the number of the living saints who would not see death (2 Tim. 4:6-8⁶For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6‑8)). He was willing for this (2 Cor. 5:8⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)) and even desired it, if it was the will of God for him (Phil. 1:23; 3:10-11²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)
¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:10‑11)). The Apostle Peter was told the same thing (2 Peter 1:14¹⁴Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. (2 Peter 1:14)). But these exceptions in no way negate the fact that the normal Christian hope is to expect to be called away to heaven without seeing death.

Note: the raising of the saints in a glorified state does not occur in heaven, but here on earth where they lived and died (1 Cor. 15:51-56⁵¹Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56)). There will be a demonstration of complete triumph on the very battlefield in which the saints have fought “the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)). These saints testified here, fought here, and lost their lives in conflict here, and now they will have victory with Christ on that same battlefield! Paul says, “Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54, 57; 2⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
⁵⁷But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
¹⁸Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. (1 Corinthians 4:18) Cor. 5:4).

The Lord will then parade the glorified saints through “the air”—the very realm where the devil, “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2)), has had access and has done his evil work. He will, thus, make an open show of the victory before our spiritual foes. Thus, the same power of God that triumphed by raising Christ from the dead as “the first-fruits” of the first resurrection (Psa. 18:6-19⁶In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. ⁷Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. ⁸There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. ⁹He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. ¹⁰And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. ¹¹He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. ¹²At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. ¹³The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. ¹⁴Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. ¹⁵Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. ¹⁶He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. ¹⁷He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. ¹⁸They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. ¹⁹He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:6‑19); 1 Cor. 15:23²³But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)) will be exercised at His coming in the raising of the saints (1 Cor. 6:14; 2¹⁴And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. (1 Corinthians 6:14)
¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Cor. 4:14; Eph. 1:19-20¹⁹And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:19‑20)). The “victory” will be flaunted in Satan’s stronghold, and he and his angels will not be able to resist it, for they are defeated foes! (1 Cor. 15:57⁵⁷But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)). Hence, the saints will leave this scene triumphantly!

Vs. 18—Paul concludes his parenthetical remarks by saying, “So encourage one another with these words.” Thus, he wanted the Thessalonians to spread the word among their number concerning this great truth, and comfort any who had mistaken ideas about their loved ones who had died.

Some Wonderful Results That Await the Saints at the RAPTURE

• We will be with Christ forever (John 14:2-3²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)).

• We will be made like Christ—morally and physically (Phil. 3:20-21²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹Who 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. (Philippians 3:20‑21); 1 John 3:2²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)).

• We will be re-united to our loved ones who have died in faith (1 Thess. 4:17¹⁷Then 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)).

• We will be forever delivered from the physical and spiritual dangers and troubles of earth (Jude 21²¹Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 21)).