Resurrection Hope In Light of the Fear of Death

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

These verses mark a sharp change in focus from Paul, who turns to address a particular theological concern, perhaps doing so in response to questions the Thessalonians had raised, or maybe his own reflections that they needed further teaching on this point. The issue relates to those who have put their faith in Jesus, but then have subsequently died before the second coming. From a 21st century perspective, we know that this has been the situation for countless saints over the last two millennia, but it is understandable that the death of fellow believers would raise difficult questions for a young church eagerly awaiting Christ’s return..

Death Is Not the End (v13-14): The first point that Paul makes in order to help the Thessalonians hope is that death is not the end. In fact, the word he chooses in this passage is ‘sleep’, in doing so drawing attention to the temporary nature of death for those who trust in Jesus. Just like in sleep we are removed from the waking world for a time, but then eventually return to wakefulness, so for those who have died in Christ are also only in that state for a time, before then being raised to life on the future day. The precedent for this is the resurrection of Jesus himself. As he rose from death, and as we are in him, then we too will be raised up at that time when he returns. For the Christian, this changes the shape of grief. It is not that we do not grieve at all, because we still experience loss and sadness and miss the person, but that grief is different to the way the rest of mankind grieve, because it is a grief that is shaped by hope.

No Believer Will Be Left Behind (v15-17a): The next part of Paul’s argument explains the events of the return of Jesus, and how his coming will bring eternal life for both those who have died in the faith and those still living. If the Thessalonians’ fear was that their believing loved ones would miss out, Paul makes clear that this is not the case. In fact, when Jesus returns and the heavenly trumpet is sounded, it is the dead who will be raised up first. They will be joined in the air to meet him by those still living. The language Paul uses is that of going out to welcome a victorious king before accompanying him, and so this ‘rapture’ that the Bible talks about is very different to some of the ideas in popular imagination. The point is more about dead and living believers joining together in a welcoming parade for a triumphant victor than it is about some being taken and others ‘left behind’. Paul’s point is that all believers – whether dead or living – will all get to share in the victory of Christ on that day.

We Will Be With the Lord Forever (v17b-18): The final part of the hope that Paul offers here comes in the last sentence of verse 17 – that we will be with the Lord forever. Being raised from the dead to share in a glorious day is one thing, but we can be assured that the life that we are raised to is not temporary to die again, but eternal. The greatest hope is not simply resurrection itself, but that resurrection brings us into unending fellowship with Christ.. The application that he gives therefore is to encourage one another with these words. Grief or fear of death are things that it is natural to experience, but Paul sees in these truths something that can transform that grief and provide encouragement to believers in the face of the death of loved ones in the Lord.

Potential Applications

• There will likely be people in the congregation for whom this topic is raw, and who have recently lost someone. Do be sensitive in how you preach, and it may be appropriate to offer to pray with anyone who is currently in this place.
• The hope spoken of here is hope for those who are in Christ. It is a good moment to offer people the opportunity to put their faith in Christ in this life, knowing that in doing so they will share in the resurrection to come.
• For many people, death can either be seen as something to fear or something to ignore. Understanding this Biblical hope can transform our mindset and allow believers to respond to death in a different (and much healthier) way.