The Life & Teaching of Paul

1 Thessalonians (Part 3)

Paul’s Eschatology: Looking to the Future

1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction to Pauline Prophecy & Eschatology

 The Expectation of The Day of the Lord

 The Expectation of John 14

 The Misunderstandings of his day

II. Regarding our death and afterlife (v. 13-15)

A. Believer’s Ignorance

B. Believer’s Death: “those who have fallen asleep”

koimao: First Century idiom: John 11:11; Acts 7:60; Acts 13:36; 1 Cor. 15:6; 1

Cor. 15:20

Not “soul sleep”: koimao means “to recline”. Opposite word is “to stand up.”

C. Believer’s Hope: no despair

D. Believer’s Promise (v. 15)

III. Regarding the Rapture (4: 16-18)

A. Different Views

 Pre-tribulation

 Mid-tribulation

 Post-tribulation

B. Chronology

1. The Return (of Christ) (v. 16)

 A note on the Returns of Christ

 A reminder from Acts 1:

 One sound in 3 manifestations

2. The Resurrection (of the bodies of deceased Believers) (v.16b)

 “the dead through (or “in”) Christ”:

o Relationally

o Positionally

3. The Rapture (of living Believers) (v.17a)

a. “caught up”: raptura

1.To carry off by force:

2. To eagerly claim for oneself:

3. To snatch away quickly:

4. To rescue from danger or destruction:

 Tribulation Perspectives

 Historical Biblical perspectives:

See also 1 Corinthians 15:50-55

4. The Reunion (v.17b)

 Bodies to souls

 Living to dead

 All Believers to Christ

C. Comfort in Knowing (v. 18)

IV. Regarding the “Day of the Lord” (5:1-11)

A. Background:

 The Rapture brings an end to the Age of _________.

 Old Testament Prophecy: “The Day of the Lord”

B. Secrecy (of the Time) (v. 1-2a)

 “times and seasons”

 “Day of the Lord”

C. Suddenness (of His Return) (v. 2b-3)

1. False Security

2. Fearful Destruction

3. Final Judgment

D. Safety (for the Believer) (v. 4-7)

E. Seriousness (for All) (v. 7-11)

V. Application