This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message of hope. In a world marked by loss, uncertainty, and grief, believers are called to live with a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Paul reminds us that our hope is grounded in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, giving us assurance even in the face of death. Because Christ will return and gather His people to Himself forever, we can grieve with hope, stand firm in faith, and encourage one another with the certainty of His coming.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV)

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left 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 cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are 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.

Our Hope in Loss

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Christians Grieve Differently

The difference is not the presence of grief but the presence of hope.

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (ESV)

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Christians never say ‘good-bye’; just ‘until we meet again.’” Woodrow Kroll

Our Hope Is Grounded in Christ’s Resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV)

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Revelation 21:4 (ESV)

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15 (ESV)

15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Our Hope and Confident Expectation in Christ’s Return  

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (ESV)

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV)

17 Then we who are 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.

  • “caught up” ~ harpazō, “to grab or seize suddenly, to snatch, take away.”

When the Lord returns:

  • Christ Himself will descend from heaven.
  • There will be a commanding shout.
  • The voice of the archangel will sound.
  • The trumpet of God will be heard.
  • The dead in Christ will rise first.

Classic Premillennialism and Pretribulational Premillennialism

Both believe:

  1. Jesus will physically return.
  2. There will be a future period of intense tribulation.
  3. Satan will be bound.
  4. Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years.
  5. The dead will be resurrected.
  6. There will be a final judgment and eternal state.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV)

 …and so we will always be with the Lord. .

Which means…

  • No more separation.
  • No more death.
  • No more goodbyes.
  • No more tears.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (ESV)

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the promise of resurrection change the way Christians view death?
  2. How can an eternal perspective help us deal with present challenges and uncertainties?
  3. What is one practical way you can live with “confident expectation” this week?

Application Question:

  1. Who in your life needs encouragement from the truths found in this passage?