Lesson 4—Slide 1 Key Questions for Chapter 4:13-5:5 What is known about dead Christians that should be comforting? What do we know about the events occurring at the return of Christ? What do we know about the time of the return of Christ? Lesson 4: Return of Jesus Christ

Lesson 4—Slide 2 How is ignorance (“not knowing”) related to not having hope? (1 Th 4:13 NKJV) But I do not want you to be ignorant [uninformed, NASB] brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. What is known about dead Christians that should be comforting?

Lesson 4—Slide 3 What is the hope for Christians who have died that helps comfort those left behind? (1 Th 4:14 NKJV) For if [since, sjc] we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. Did the Thessalonians believe in the resurrection and return of Christ? (1 Th 1:10 NKJV) and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus …. (1 Th 2:19 NKJV) For what is our hope …? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1 Th 3:13 NKJV) … before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. What is known about dead Christians that should be comforting? —Cont’d

Lesson 4—Slide 4 What is the connection between Christ’s resurrection and ours? (1 Th 4:14 NKJV) For if [since, sjc] we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. (1 Cor 15:16-20 NKJV) For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. … Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (2 Cor 4:14 NKJV) knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. What is known about dead Christians that should be comforting? —Cont’d

Lesson 4—Slide 5 What do we know from I Thess. 4? (1 Th 4:15 NKJV) 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. (1 Th 4:16 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Th 4:17 NKJV) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. What do we know about events to occur when Christ returns?

Lesson 4—Slide 6 What do we know from I Thess. 4? —Cont’d (1 Th 4:16 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Th 4:17 NKJV) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Events and order: Christ descends Christ shouts There is the voice of an archangel There is the sound of a trumpet Dead Christian rise (first) Living Christians are “caught up” with them and Christ Christians will always be with Christ What do we know about events to occur when Christ returns? — Cont’d

Lesson 4—Slide 7 What do we know about events to occur when Christ returns? — Cont’d EVENT/REF. 1 Th. 4 John 5 Matt 25 II Pet 3 II Th 1 I Cor 15 Act s 24 Christ’s coming Christ’s shout Archangel’s voice Trumpet’s sound Dead saved rise Living Christians caught up Dead unsaved rise Physical destroyed Judgment (impl) Good rewarded Evil punished

Lesson 4—Slide 8 What do we know about events to occur when Christ returns? — Cont’d EVENT/REF. 1 Th. 4 John 5 Matt 25 II Pet 3 II Th 1 I Cor 15 Act s 24 Christ’s coming Christ’s shout Archangel’s voice Trumpet’s sound Dead saved rise Living Christians caught up change d Dead unsaved rise (impl) Physical destroyed Judgment (impl) Good rewarded Evil punished

Lesson 4—Slide 9 What do we know about the predictability of the time for Christ’s return? (1 Th 5:2 NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (1 Th 5:3 NKJV) For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. What do we know about the time of Christ’s return?

Lesson 4—Slide 10 What will be the consequences of the unpredictability, and suddenness, and unexpectedness of Christ’s return? (1 Th 5:3 NKJV) For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (1 Th 5:4 NKJV) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Th 5:5 NKJV) You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. What do we know about the time of Christ’s return? —Cont’d

Lesson 4—Slide 11 From Chapter 4:13-5:5 It is comforting to know that dead Christians will be equal participants in the resurrection and will be part of the same assembly as those still living. We know many of the physical and spiritual events of the resurrection—enough to know that millennialism in not correct. We know that we cannot know the time of Christ’s return; even this knowledge is valuable (we know not to be deceived by those who claim to know). We know we must be prepared at all times. What to Remember