1Thes 4b

Resurrection faith that resurrects

 Background for study leader: That the Thessalonians doubted the resurrection of the dead (e.g. Cambridge commentary) like some in Corinth (1Cor 15:12) seems highly unlikely: 1Th 1:8-10. A misunderstanding about the time when Christ will return is also ruled out (1Th 5:1-2). Instead, what confused them is how the dead are raised, specifically the idea that they may only be raised (a thousand?) years after the return of Christ (1Th 4:15-16). By rejecting this idea, Paul comforted bereft believers that they will not be separated from loved ones for long (v17). This was his explicit purpose for writing this passage (v13). In the same stroke, his words ruled out the possibility of a golden age with Christ on earth (a so-called premillennial kingdom) before a general resurrection of all the dead (on judgment day). In view of that, it seems ironical that our passage here (especially its teaching about the so-called ‘rapture’) is often used to endorse and defend the very ideas that it seems to refute. It is worth noting, though, how gently Paul addressed those in the Thessalonian church who simply seemed to have sincerely misunderstood his teaching.

Warm-up: Eschatology is the part of Christian doctrine that concerns the future final events of history (from gr. eschatos, meaning “last” and -logy meaning “the study of”). What did your tradition of Christianity teach you about ‘the last things’, and what was your experience with that?

[Different traditions include amillennialism (a rule of Christ from heaven during 1000 non-literal years), premillennialism (an earthly kingdom governed by Christ on earth with only a group of somehow ‘advance-resurrected’ Christians) and postmillennialism where Christians are supposed to gradually improve earthly governments until the whole world is ready to receive Christ as king; or (informally) a ‘pan-millennialism’ that is more or less agnostic and simply expects things to ‘pan out’ in whichever way God will see fit).]

Read 1Th 4:13-18

1) v1 seems to suddenly change subjects by addressing specific doctrines about the resurrection. Did Paul explain why he wanted this readers to be better informed about this topic, i.e. why it matters?
  • v13: Did he suggest that Christians should not grieve when bereaved of loved ones? Why would he not suggest that?
    • Instead, what can be different now about how they grieve?
    • Why did he view dying as ‘falling asleep’?
    • Read 1Th 1:3; 5:8. Why is no similar hope found in any other religion than Christianity, even if they may believe in life after death as well?
2) v14: What exactly does Christianity teach about the resurrection of the dead?
  • Christians believe that God will raise the dead through Jesus: Why? And why not otherwise? cf 1Th 3:13 (i.e. only at the coming of Jesus, and not before nor after]
  • v15 suggests that some were confused, perhaps about a teaching of Paul himself that ‘we who are alive shall all be changed in a moment’ (cf 1Cor 15:51-52; he likely taught all churches the same). Imagine if your church would teach that this bodily transformation will happen years before judgment day – possibly a thousand years earlier: Why would such a theory be bad news for bereaved believers? [They would have to wait during 1000 years for reunification with their loved ones]
    • What speculations would this also invite about the task of such believers during those 1000 years? [They would probably expect to govern a (pre)millennial earthly kingdom until a general resurrection of all the dead]
    • By specifically rejecting any idea of an ‘advance resurrection’ of only a few, did Paul support or refute expectations of an earthly kingdom?
    • Can we learn anything from the style how Paul addressed those who sincerely misunderstood his teaching on this matter?
3) (optional, if time permits) The idea of a [spiritual] ‘first resurrection’ of those who will reign with Christ comes from Jn 5:25 and Rev 20:4-6 (and even older prophecies, e.g. in Dan 7:18,27). Read these texts. => How can we be sure that they speak of Christ’s present reign from heaven and not of a future messianic earthly kingdom?
  • Hint: Did Dan 7 predict that the saints will ‘reign’ once Messiah returns from heaven, or after his ascension to heaven, Dan 7:13-14?
  • Read Eph 2:1&6 and (optional) Ro 5:17, 2Tim 2:12): When are Christians said to reign with Christ? Do any of these texts remotely hint at a future earthly kingdom?
  • Read 1Jn 4:4; 5:4; Rev 12:11. Accordingly, how are believers reigning with Christ? [Through faith in him, i.e. long before their bodily resurrection].
  • Read 1Cor 15:24 => when does Christ reign: Before or after returning from heaven? [Christ now reigns until He comes again. Accordingly, the faithful (in a sense) ‘reign’ with him now ever since their first spiritual awakening through faith in Jesus].
4) In vv15-17, Paul stated that his teaching is found in Christ’s own words. Read Mt 24:29-35. What did Jesus predict  will happen to believers who are alive at the time of his future return, vv30-31? cf vv40-41 [A ‘rapture’]
  • Why with a trumpet call? Where does that metaphor come from? [Trumpets were used in battle to signal commands to troops, cf Joel 2:11]
  • How can we be absolutely certain that Mt 24 speaks of the day of the final judgment? v35, cf Mt 13:41
  • By using terms of the Old Testament that describe the ‘day of the Lord’, v29 leaves no doubt that Jesus here spoke of the final judgment day (cf e.g. Isa 13: 9-11; Ezk 32:7; Joel 2:9-10). What did Jesus say will happen on that day to the dead? Jn 5:28-29
5) v17 is regarded by some as speaking of a ‘rapture’ of believers before a great tribulation until they return for a literal millennial reign of Christ on earth – where death is not yet conquered and the dead have not been resurrected yet (a tradition known as pretribulationist premillennialism). By contrast, what did Paul say when exactly a rapture will take place (v17 Then….)? [i.e. Not until the final return of Christ, i.e. when ‘he will come with his saints’, 1Th 3:13; i.e. this will not be a departure of the raptured, but an arrival party on the day of the final judgment].
  • Where did Paul get the idea of ‘clouds’? cf Lk 21:26
  • why did Paul even mention a rapture (in a cloud)? =>
    • Why was this relevant for first century believers who expected Christ’s imminent return but now had lost loved ones? [v17: Then we… will be together with them…”]
6) Personal and application
  • Do you think it matters what Christians believe and teach about the resurrection? Why or why not? [cf v18]
  • How do you explain that some traditions put a heavy focus on eschatology in their teaching while others don’t? How do you expect your church should tackle this subject?
  • What encourages, challenges or even frustrates you when you read or discuss Scriptures about endtime prophecies?
  • Do you think it is wrong to believe that one can have certainty what the Bible teaches about these matters? Why or why not?

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