Correspondence: Who Will Be Caught Up When the Lord Comes?

1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Question: 1st. Who will be caught up when the Lord comes? (1 Thess. 4).
2nd. Will all the babes in the world be taken?
3rd. To whom will the gospel be preached after the rapture of the heavenly saints?
A. J. A.
Answer: 1st. All the dead in Christ from the beginning of man’s race (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)). Then all the living believers will be changed, and caught up with all that their faith takes in (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
2nd. There is no thought in Scripture that all babes will be taken. Matthew 18:1111For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11) would show us that any babe, or irresponsible person, who dies, will be saved, because Christ died for such.
The “gospel of the Kingdom,” the news that Christ is coming to reign (Psa. 2:10-1210Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:10‑12)), will be preached to Israel (Matt. 10:5, 6, 75These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 10:5‑7)); and to all nations, that is, Gentiles; and those who receive that gospel, will be Christ’s subjects on earth. We find a direct testimony also sent to the worshipers of idols in Revelation 14:6,76And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6‑7). The everlasting gospel is creation’s testimony (Psa. 19:1-61<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalm 19:1‑6)) to the God who created all things, and this specially is sent to warn all such. God cares for the idolaters also.
Even in the Millennial period, when Christ is reigning, and Satan is bound, we find men making feigned obedience to Christ, the Head of the heathen. (Psa. 18:43, 4443Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. (Psalm 18:43‑44). See margin.) A multitude comes up in rebellion against God and His earthly people, whenever Satan is loosed out of his prison.
Such is man, all men, unless through grace they are born again. How easy it is to let present things blind us to the truth.