1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God… One coming — once, for one act — the simultaneous gathering of all before the judgment seat. All this is a far-off view — the regarding the Second Advent in a kind of prophetical foreshortening. Seen near, this one event is manifold, having chronological order, and falling into many acts. I. THE ACTUAL COMING OF JESUS CHRIST AND ITS GLORY. 1. In the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27). 2. In His own glory (Luke 9:26). 3. With His angels (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:33; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). 4. Coming in the clouds of heaven (Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:11). 5. Bringing His saints with Him (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). II. THE EVENTS WHICH WILL FOLLOW THE COMING OF CHRIST IN THE AIR. 1. The resurrection of the bodies of the sleeping saints. "The dead in Christ Shall rise first." 2. The change into a glorified condition of all the living saints (1 Corinthians 15:51). All shall meet the Lord in the air. All this august series of events precedes judgment. This is the very dawn of the day of the Lord. Later on will be the judgment on the nations, judgment on Israel, judgment on apostate Christendom, judgment on Satan; but from all that the saints are safe; they are already and forever with the Lord. III. THIS COMING OF THE LORD IS FOR SAINTS — raised saints, living saints, both quick or dead, quickened or changed saints, and saints only. 1. Will His coming be for me? Shall I certainly have part in that glorious first resurrection? If I remain till He come, shall I certainly be changed in that moment of wondrous rapture? 2. Consider who are saints (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 2:9). Such only are looking for that blessed hope; and such only will see Christ with joy. (J. Gritton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: |
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