WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DEAD WHEN THE LORD COMES BACK? (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11)
Introduction: The Thessalonian Christians initially thought that Jesus would return while they were still alive. Then, some members of the congregation died, and others became anxious: what would happen to them now? This question was posed to Timothy, who relayed it to Paul when arriving in Corinth. Now Paul answers this important question. We will also try to find from the text whether Paul is speaking of a secret rapture of Christians, or if he views the return of Jesus as a public event.
Verses 13-14: The Greek word for "cemetery" used by Christians is derived from the term meaning "sleeping place".
• Why does Paul use the term "those who are asleep" or "those who have fallen asleep" instead of saying "the dead"?
• How do Christian funerals differ from those of someone who did not believe in Jesus?
• On what grounds do Christians believe in the resurrection of the body, rather than the immortality of the soul?
• Why doesn’t Paul use the phrase "He fell asleep" for Jesus’ death? (What is the difference between Jesus' death and the death of a Christian?)
• Where does Jesus take his own people when He raises them from their graves?
Verses 15-17: Jesus had said He would return in the clouds with the sound of a trumpet and send His angels to gather the believers to Himself (Matt. 24:31, 40–). However, the specific «word of the Lord» Paul quotes here is not found in the Gospels. The apostle must have heard it personally from the Saviour.
• What impact did it have on Paul that he believed Jesus would return during his own lifetime?
• Why have all living churches throughout church history waited for the imminent return of Jesus?
• What do you think about the liberal theologians who mock Paul and the early church for «mistakenly» expecting Jesus to return in their lifetime?
• Look at these verses and explain in your own words what the day will be like when Jesus returns to this earth.
• Why are a loud voice, the command of an archangel, and the sound of a trumpet needed? (Who will hear them?)
• What happens to the Christians who are alive when Jesus returns?
• What does the phrase "to meet the Lord in the air" mean?
• What does Paul mean by concluding his description of Jesus' return with "and so we will always be with the Lord"?
• Once more: What happened to the Christians who died before Jesus returns – what was Paul’s answer to the original question?
Verse 18
• What encouragement did Paul’s words bring to the persecuted Christians in Thessalonica?
Verses 5:1-3: "The Day of the Lord" refers in the Old Testament to the day of judgment for the wicked and salvation for the believers.
• Why is the return of Jesus for many people like a visit of a thief?
• In what situation might people say the words in verse 3?
• What destruction or ruin is Paul referring to in verse 3?
• Do you think these verses might speak about a secret coming of Jesus and a secret rapture of Christians from the earth? Give your reasons.
• What do the childbirth pains mentioned in verse 3 have to do with the Day of the Lord?
Verses 4-7
• Why will the Day of the Lord not take the Thessalonian Christians by surprise?
• What does it mean in practice if somebody is living in darkness? What is he is living in the light?
Verses 8-9: Read verse 8 from more than one translations.
• What does it mean in practice that Christians should be «sober»? The word "sober" here means the opposite of drunkenness.
• In what way do faith and love become a protective armour for the believer?
• How does hope protect the believer’s head from blows like a helmet?
• What does it mean that God has not appointed Christians to wrath? Whose wrath is Paul here referring to?
Verses 10-11.
• How do we Christians live with Jesus after our death, even though our bodies decay in the grave?
• Why does Paul mention Jesus' atoning death in this context?
• How can we strengthen ourselves and each other with these words?
Summarising QUESTIONS (if time allows)
• Many Christians believe that there are two comings of Jesus, the first being secret. What would you say about this doctrine in the light of these verses?
• What do you think happens to the Christians by the coming of Jesus: do they go to the paradise, heaven, the millennial kingdom, or to the final judgment? Give your reasons.
• Where in this text do you find the gospel of grace?
Closing words: Let’s read verses 9-10 once more. Because Jesus died for us, we need fear neither our death nor His return.
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