What does 1 Thessalonians 4:14 mean?
Paul is reassuring the Thessalonian Christians about what happens to believers who die before the return of Jesus Christ. Unlike unbelievers, who have no hope of seeing their loved ones again, those who trust in Christ are only temporarily separated (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The hope of life beyond the grave rests upon the belief that Jesus conquered death by rising from the dead.When certain Jews at the temple in Jerusalem asked Jesus for a sign, He predicted His resurrection by telling them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). The Jews thought He was referring to the temple, where they worshiped, but John adds: "But he was speaking about the temple of his body" (John 2:21). Later, Jesus foretold His disciples that He would die and rise again. He said He would be delivered over to the religious authorities, who would condemn Him and turn Him over to the Gentiles. The Gentiles would mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him, but He added that after three days He would rise (Mark 10:33–34).
Christians can look forward to the event in which our risen Lord will return with the souls of Christians who have died. This future event is referred to in Titus 2:13 as "our blessed hope." Paul appeals to the Thessalonian Christians to lead a godly life, "waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
The "sleep" Paul refers to here is a common expression implying death. At the same time, from a biblical perspective, this is meant to emphasize how temporary physical death is for the Christian believer. Other New Testament writings make it clear that we experience consciousness after death, not a "soul sleep" or some other form of unawareness (Philippians 1:20–24; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:19–31).
First Thessalonians 4:13–18 represents an important shift in the subject matter of Paul's letter. Realizing the Thessalonian believers needed further teaching about Jesus' return (the rapture) and specifically about what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns, Paul turns to address these vital matters. He wants his readers to know that death should not cause them to grieve like unbelievers. There is a bright prospect of seeing departed believers again. When Jesus returns from heaven, He will bring deceased Christians with Him. At that time there will be a loud command, the archangel's voice will be heard, and God's trumpet will sound. Christians who have died will receive their resurrected bodies, and living Christians will be caught up to join them, to be with the Lord forever. Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to use what he wrote about the rapture to encourage one another.
Chapter 4 starts with an encouragement for the Thessalonian believers to continue their spiritual growth. Their conduct is exemplary, but they need to seek to do even more. Paul especially emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, as well as the need for believers to live peaceful, polite, and productive lives. Paul then begins to discuss the subject of Christ's return. This begins with a reassurance that believers who have died prior to the return of Christ will be the first ones raised when He comes back for His people. Next will be those still living, all of whom will meet Jesus ''in the air.'' Knowledge of our eternal destiny should be encouraging!
