Post by neural on Aug 19, 2019 3:05:51 GMT -6
Look, I know that 1st Thessalonians 4 talks about the rapture, I fully agree with that, but I don't really think "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." was a comment about the rapture specifically.
Paul was talking to people who likely grieving for a deceased loved one or fellow believer. The people Paul was writing to had somehow gotten the idea that those who had placed their faith in Jesus, and then passed away were somehow going to be judged under the law, or some other misconception like that. So, Paul described the rapture in detail, specifying that the dead in Christ would rise *first*, and then those who were alive at the time would be caught up with them.
When Paul said "Wherefore comfort one another with these words.", he was speaking to those who were grieving for lost loved ones/brethren. "Don't worry, they are fine. The rapture has not happened yet. When it does, it will happen in a specific order and they will precede you when it does, so take comfort and do not be troubled!"
In fact, I'd venture to say that his reference to the grieving of those who do not have the hope of Jesus is a clear indicator that Paul was instructing them to do their best to not grieve for the saved.
Since I've touched on the subject, I will say that is a view that God has blessed me in this area thus far in life, that none that I know who have been taken home have impacted my life heavily with grief. I miss my father. I will miss my mother when she is taken home. If God chose to take my wife home early, my life would be completely shattered...but not because of her spiritual well being. Yes, I'd miss the companionship, but I know where she would be going, and I know all the things that she would no longer have to deal with that trouble her.
I grieve for believers who have gone home, but if I'm honest, I'm also envious. I won't try and put words into Paul's mouth, but I get the feeling that was what he may have been trying to communicate to the believers in Thessalonica. "it's ok to miss them, but do not grieve, they are fine, and we will all be together again"
Paul was talking to people who likely grieving for a deceased loved one or fellow believer. The people Paul was writing to had somehow gotten the idea that those who had placed their faith in Jesus, and then passed away were somehow going to be judged under the law, or some other misconception like that. So, Paul described the rapture in detail, specifying that the dead in Christ would rise *first*, and then those who were alive at the time would be caught up with them.
When Paul said "Wherefore comfort one another with these words.", he was speaking to those who were grieving for lost loved ones/brethren. "Don't worry, they are fine. The rapture has not happened yet. When it does, it will happen in a specific order and they will precede you when it does, so take comfort and do not be troubled!"
In fact, I'd venture to say that his reference to the grieving of those who do not have the hope of Jesus is a clear indicator that Paul was instructing them to do their best to not grieve for the saved.
Since I've touched on the subject, I will say that is a view that God has blessed me in this area thus far in life, that none that I know who have been taken home have impacted my life heavily with grief. I miss my father. I will miss my mother when she is taken home. If God chose to take my wife home early, my life would be completely shattered...but not because of her spiritual well being. Yes, I'd miss the companionship, but I know where she would be going, and I know all the things that she would no longer have to deal with that trouble her.
I grieve for believers who have gone home, but if I'm honest, I'm also envious. I won't try and put words into Paul's mouth, but I get the feeling that was what he may have been trying to communicate to the believers in Thessalonica. "it's ok to miss them, but do not grieve, they are fine, and we will all be together again"
