Bible Study
December 29, 2025
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 18 (CSB)
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
“No Need To Fear”
John said in his Gospel in chapter fourteen of Jesus “I go to prepare a place for you.” He is in heaven preparing that place right now and when the time is come He is returning to the earth for His church. Little is known of the angelic order other than the reference to Michael the archangel. There was most likely other archangels we just do not know.
When Jesus returns the dead in Christ will arise first then those alive will ascend into heaven to be with Him forever, once you are in heaven that is your eternity. The trumpet is not like of the judgements found in Revelation but a trumpet of deliverance.
We have all heard of the term “Armageddon.” This is the final battle where Satan and his followers are ultimately defeated and will be cast into the lake of fire. The rapture of the church or the “taking up of the Christ Followers” will take place before the end time plagues.
There is concern with some people about these events but we are told “to comfort one another” as we wait for His appearing. This passage is not about prophecy but about supporting each other as we wait for His return. There are three things this comfort is based upon:
- The dead will be resurrected and participate in His coming,
- When Jesus returns the living will be reunited with our loved ones, and
- All will be with the Lord in eternity.
There is nothing to fear for the believer that’s the Good News however we need to take this message to all that we can before it is too late.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 