November 29, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Questions for Reflection:
Paul is writing to address a concern within the church. What was that concern that Paul addresses in this passage? The church at Thessalonica was wondering what happened to believers who died. While there was probably a general wonder, it was probably a personal question as well. They wondered, “What happens to me when I die?”
Paul tells the church that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” Does this mean that we do not grieve when those we love die? DA Carson writes, “The Bible everywhere assumes that those who are bereaved will grieve, and their grief is never belittled.” Paul assumes grief, but he does so in the context of hope. Why do we have hope even in the face of death?
This passage has led to much division within the church in the last century. People debate the timing and the order of many of the “end time” events. The goal for Paul in writing this passage was not to inspire fear or cause division, but rather his goal was to bring encouragement. Paul’s goal was to give the church a proper theology that would give them hope.
How can good theology inspire hope and confidence? How are you encouraged by this passage?