(1Th 5:3) “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”  As I speak to people today, I find that most of the time their understanding of God is not that which has been revealed as the God of the Bible. Their God is a god of the imagination  – their desire. “He loves me and blesses me though I walk in sin (as revealed in the Bible)” They see “peace and safety” when God is actually ready to come and punish sin. God hates sin so much He judged it on His only Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Open the Bible to the New Testament and begin to learn of the true and living God.  

(1Th 5:1)  “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2 ) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”  The Day of the Lord is not a day of joy, but of judgment. It is the Lord reigning over, judging, evil. The heart of God’s people have been changed to desire right over wrong; to see the Lord uplifted in holiness over unrighteousness. It will come suddenly, unexpectedly. Even so, Lord Jesus, come!  

 (1Th 4:17) “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  There is no greater comfort in the face of death than to know it is not the end. If that person has been born again spiritually through a time and place of salvation, then we have had such an experience will unite again with them someday! I for one look forward to that day!  

(1Th 4:17) “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  I often wonder about those who claim to know and love the Lord, yet have trouble being faithful to all the services of the Church. Here we are told of a day when “…..we will ever be with the Lord.” They seem to have no stomach for Him three times a week, how do they think they will be happy with Him forever?

(1Th 4:17) “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  The phrase that distinguishes this event from the Second Coming of Christ is “…to meet the Lord in the air”…..”  When the Lord Jesus returns to this earth, His feet will first touch the earth of the Mount of Olives. Point: the Lord speaks precisely in the Bible. He Who created words is capable of saying what He means. Pay close attention when reading God’s Word. There is a lot of gold there in the picture of silver.

(1Th 4:16) “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:” One should be careful when interpreting Scripture to leave out assumptions, or at least acknowledge to self they are assumptions. Most say, “…with the voice of the archangel speaks of Christ being over the angels.” Maybe. This we do know, He is Lord over all, (Heb 1:7) “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (8)  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:”  Jesus as Lord could be using the angel to shout, to speak, to command others. The next chapter says we (man) are lower than the angels. If they obey Him, so should you and me!  

(1Th 4:16) “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:” The Lord always keeps His Word. He said to the disciples: (John 14:2c) “… I go to prepare a place for you. (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  Notice the emphasis of our verse, “For the Lord HIMSELF….” My God is the Promise-keeping God!  

 (1Th 4:16) “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:”  I wonder what the Lord will shout: “Come forth”, as He did at Lazarus’ grave? There, the Lord Jesus specifically said, “Lazarus, come forth”, for one has well said, “If He had specified Lazarus, all in the graves would have come forth.” Will He shout, “Come home”? Such a shout would include those who are alive at that time. My heart will continue to listen for the shout, and no matter what the words, my body, soul, and spirit will respond in joy! 

(1Th 4:15)  “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” The whole subject of the this and the next few verses that follow is the resurrection and the taking of our bodies to heaven. This is very much a part of the hope of salvation. After seven years from that point those bodies (the saved) will be allowed to return with Christ Who will reign a thousand years. Point: the hope of the Christian is not being a spirit to lie on a cloud and play a harp all day. The hope of the saved is to live, work, serve, and enjoy life as it was meant to be.