Thy Strong Word - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Hope when the rapture occurs.

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

“We do not want you to be uninformed brothers.” Paul continues to lovingly teach the saints at Thessalonica and gives them words of encouragement in preparation for the Lord’s return. To think about Jesus’ 2nd coming can be quite terrifying, but Paul speaks with the resurrection of Christ at the center. We cling to the clear words of Scripture that state, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ is coming again.” “Lord Jesus Christ, as You have conquered death and the devil, we look with hope in You as we wait for Your 2nd coming. Keep our focus on the cross and empty tomb as we face the trials of this broken world, and help us to encourage each other knowing that You will come again to bring us to You. In Your name, Amen”

For more information concerning our understanding of the end times click here for our Commission on Theology and Church Relations report on the “Left Behind series.”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Coming of the Lord

¹³But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,^[a] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

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Footnotes

1 Thessalonians 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)