1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

These passages address the blessed hope of the rapture, a distinctive aspect of the believer’s salvation. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizes the importance of understanding the process and implications of believers’ physical death. He urges against sorrow without hope, distinguishing believers’ experience from the lost person who has no faith in Christ.

Verse 14 underscores a crucial foundation: the centrality of faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for salvation. It’s not by works but through faith that believers participate in the rapture. Paul highlights the assurance that those who have died in Christ will accompany Him when He returns to the clouds for His Church, which is His Body.

Again, Verse 14 is pivotal in highlighting the central truth of salvation by faith alone. Paul states that “if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” This emphatically underscores that the basis for participating in the rapture of the body of Christ is faith alone in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It’s not about our works, merit, or personal achievements. Instead, it’s the faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross that unites us with Him.

In verse 15, Paul clarifies that the living won’t precede the departed in the rapture event. Instead, both groups will share in the joyous reunion with Christ. Verse 16 depicts the rapture’s awe-inspiring moment: the Lord’s descent, heralded by a shout, an archangel’s voice, and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ (believers who died), having slept, will rise first, followed by the living believers.

Verse 17 paints the climactic picture of the rapture itself: the living, remaining believers are caught up together with resurrected believers to meet the Lord in the air. The passage resonates with the truth of Christ’s imminent return and believers’ unity with Him forever.

Finally, verse 18 encourages believers to comfort one another through these profound truths. Paul’s words offer our greatest hope, affirming that those in Christ (the dead in Christ and those of us alive) will be with the Lord forever. Thus, faith in Christ’s redemptive work alone stands as the only way to participate in the rapture, apart from a works-based approach to salvation.