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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! [John 14:3; 1 Cor 15:52; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; Col 3:4] |
Subject: Rapture |
Bible Note: Hi John, Paul had informed those in Thessalonica personally about the things that would be taking place just before the Lord’s return but they were neglecting to assimilate the doctrine that he had taught them and apply it to their experience. Paul told them that they would be persecuted but that the Lord would avenge those that will be doing the persecution even though it will seem like He delays His vengeance on their part. When Paul uses the words “they and them” he is referring to those outside of Christ or those that don’t obey the gospel message. When he uses the words “we and us”, it’s a reference to those that have believed the gospel message and have trusted in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Things are going to get so bad that believers will assume that the Lord has delayed His coming because they are under the assumption that believers wouldn’t be going through such hard times but the Lord is a Just judge. Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? There is a time coming when the Lord will receive prayer from His believers from both sides of the grave because of the intense persecution. Rev. 6:9-10 And 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: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? The Lord’s return will seem like it is way overdue to many who have been deceived into believing that they will escape the torture that is to come from the deceiver. 2 Thes. 1:5-6 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; There is a time coming when believers will think that they missed the rapture because they have been told that they would be removed before the great persecution by antichrist takes place but Christ and Paul taught otherwise. 2 Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I personally “do not like the thought of this” but it’s the Lord’s purpose and design and He can give me the grace to go through it if I don’t loose heart. Luke 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? CDBJ |