The Parousia of Jesus and Rapture of the Believers

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1. Between the founding of the church and visit of Timothy, some members of the Thessalonian church had passed away. Therefore, there was a confusion as how they will participate in Jesus’ coming

2. Paul’s purpose of writing this section is pastoral, not necessarily theological

3. The Thessalonian Christian were experiencing grief because of the death of one or more of their members

(a) Paul teaches them that they must not be overwhelmed with grief like the unbelievers “who have no hope”” (v. 13)
(b) Paul’s comfort is based on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection
(c) Jesus’ resurrection is the model of the destiny of the deceased believer (verse 14)
(d) Just as God raised Jesus from the grave, so will He raise the believers from the dead at “Jesus’ coming”/Parousia
(d1) The word “Parousia” appears 6 times in 1 & 2 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8)
– Meaning of “Parousia”: The coming of a hidden divinity or the official term for a visit of a person of high rank
– When used for Jesus, it is His coming to meet His followers and judge the unbelievers—two purposes: gather the believers and the Day of the Lord (4:13-5:11)
– Jesus’ work goes beyond His birth, death, and resurrection, to the future

4. Jesus’ “Parousia” is a public event (verses 15-17)

(a) The dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive (verse 15)
(b) Both the dead and the alive will join together and meet Jesus in the air which is called the “Rapture” (Latin word rapio) (verse 16)
(c) Following this meeting in the air, the believers will remain with Jesus forever (verse 17)

Take Away

Have a healthy tension between “serving” and “waiting”