Explanation of the Text 1 Thess 4:13-14 The Coming of the Lord

1Th 4:13  Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope. 
1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. 

Notes on V.13 Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope. 

THE BIG QUESTION

Where will their relatives and friends who have died be at the Parousia? [the Coming of the Lord].

They  were waiting for The Son of God from heaven with the Holy Angels. 1Thess 1:10. Paul knew that they had grasped the truths about Sexual purity and Brotherly love from 4:1-12.

Now Paul does not want them to be uninformed or ignorant about those who have died or fallen asleep. This would cause them to grieve like others who have no hope. But we do not grieve like the others who have no hope. Grieving is natural result of loss in any form.

Grieving Woman

- we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. 

Resurrection of the dead is not too difficult for our God. God will bring with Jesus our Loved Ones who have fallen asleep. How do we know this?

14  For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. 

This is the Faith Ground for believing "God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep.in Him." Our Loved Ones will return when Jesus comes back. We will see them again.

Shogren says, "The hope that Christians have is made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ. This is not just wishful thinking but a confident and certain expectation.

1Co 15:12  But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead? 

1Co 15:13  If there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead, then Christ Himself has not risen to life. 

1Co 15:14  And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion. 

1Co 15:15  Nay more, we are actually being discovered to be bearing false witness about God, because we have testified that God raised Christ to life, whom He did not raise, if in reality none of the dead are raised. 

1Co 15:16  For if none of the dead are raised to life, then Christ has not risen; 

1Co 15:17  and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins. 

1Co 15:18  It follows also that those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 

This certain expectation was fundamental i.e. "The Death and Resurrection of Christ", to all Paul's Preaching and Epistles.

"Well, in the same way, [as Jesus died and rose again, God will gather together with Jesus those who have died in Him.

The Corollary  of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus is the Death and Resurrection of the saints.(believers)

- through Jesus, (in the same way), if there were EYE-WITNESSES evidence that Jesus rose, (inthe same way) God will resurrect the Saints.

This gathering of the Saints of all ages

Mat 24:30  Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky; and THEN WILL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH LAMENT, when they see the Son of Man COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with great power and glory. 

Mat 24:31  And He will send out His angels WITH A LOUD TRUMPET-BLAST, and THEY WILL BRING TOGETHER HIS OWN PEOPLE TO HIM FROM NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST--FROM ONE EXTREMITY OF THE WORLD TO THE OTHER. 

2Th 2:1  But with respect to the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to meet Him, we entreat you, brethren, 

2Th 2:2  not readily to become unsettled in mind or troubled--either by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message or letter claiming to have been sent by us--through fancying that the day of the Lord is now here. 

WE BELIEVE IN THE IMMORTALITY OF THE BELIEVER IN JESUS.

Christ Returning with the Saints