1. He is Coming Again! The Lord’s Promise to Return Royce P. Bell v2 2005-1009 MV Church, SB 2003-1026 MV Church, SB

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus...

3. 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first...

4. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. ~1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Basis: “If we believe…even so…by the word of the Lord…” (vss. 14-15)

5. A Prevalent Teaching  Mentioned in every chapter of the first epistle to Thessalonica… 1:10, “wait for His Son from heaven…” 2:19, “presence of our Lord…at his coming” 3:13, “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints…” 4:15, “until the coming of the Lord” 5:23, “at the coming of our Lord...”

6.  Other supportive revelation... Christ Himself spoke of it  Side Point: But not in John 14:1ff) The angel at His tomb promised it It is prefigured by the Jerusalem’s judgment and destruction (AD 70) The Hebrew writer hinged an important argument upon it (9:28) Apostles spoke/taught/wrote about it  Principle theme of 2 Thessalonians  Expressly promised in many scriptures  Specifically defined…in our text!

7. Thessalonian Affirmations  “those who have fallen asleep with Jesus” will be brought with God ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:14 If no 2nd coming, what possible meaning can this have?  Some will be “alive and remain until the coming of the Lord…” ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:15 How true, if AD 70 or spiritual coming?

8. But, consider...  “...the Lord himself will descend…” (4:16a)  “…the dead in Christ will rise first…” (4:16b, cf 1 Corinthians 15:23)  “…we who are alive and remain” will meet (formerly) dead saints in the air (4:17)  The promise brings “…comfort…” (4:18)

9. Two Important Implications  A day of destruction and terror for those who reject Christ 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day…” ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:9ff, note from v.7, cf Daniel 12:2

10.  An event to be joyfully and anxiously anticipated by the faithful 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God...” ~ 2 Peter 3:11-12 Hebrews 9:28, “...for salvation” 1 Thessalonians 4:18, “...comfort one another...” -- a positive, hopeful promise

11. He Is Coming Again!  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  A Prevalent Doctrine  Exegetical Affirmations  Two Important Implications Are you ready for that day to come?