13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15
A few more points on a hobby horse of mine. The point of Paul writing to the Thessalonians was that they not be “uninformed.” The Greek word is agnoeo, which means to be ignorant. Now keep in mind Paul is launching into the most declarative passage on the Rapture, or for us purists, the harpazo, the sudden snatching away of believers from the earth to join him above. If preachers do not teach this passage, or even acknowledge its existence, the church will remain ignorant.
Paul’s immediate audience did know about this concept, to the point that they were concerned that those believers who had passed on had missed the boat. Since this doctrine has been relegated to some mystical “third order” of importance, even by conservative pastors, we are left to find out for ourselves. Not so with Paul. He did not want his brothers and sisters grieving more than they should for their brothers and sisters who’d slipped the surly bonds of earth, who were thought to be lost in oblivion. He didn’t want them to abandon hope, because as surely as they believed Christ rose from the dead—a first order belief and most assuredly worthy of debate—they’d see their loved ones in the air on the trip up.
In fact, the “dead in Christ” are God’s first order of business. Those of us who are alive at the time of his appearing, will “not precede those who have fallen asleep.” The Lord wishes for us to be aware and informed about what should be our blessed hope. There’s nothing sadder than to think of the millions of Christians who do not give the Lord’s return a passing thought. Thank goodness he’s thinking about them!
Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Titus 2:13
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