In a world filled with uncertainty about death and what comes after, the Bible offers profound comfort and clarity.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NASB) is one of the most encouraging passages on this topic, addressing the resurrection of the dead, the transformation of the living, and the one glorious return of Jesus Christ—providing powerful assurance for Christians in New Zealand seeking biblical truth about the end times and eternal hope.

This text is frequently misunderstood or taken out of context, often used to support a secret pre-tribulation rapture. When read carefully, however, it promises resurrection and victory through Christ, not escape from trouble.

Why This Passage Matters

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to comfort grieving believers in Thessalonica who feared their departed loved ones might miss out when Jesus returns. His message is clear: No believer—dead or alive—will miss anything.

“Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NASB).

“Those Who Sleep” — What Does It Mean?

Paul describes deceased believers as “asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 NASB)—a gentle metaphor for death, but it does not imply soul sleep or unconsciousness.

The Greek word koimaō means “to lie down” or “to rest.”
It refers to the body, which rests (whether buried in the ground or cremated) awaiting resurrection, while the soul is immediately with the Lord.

When a believer dies, their physical body returns to the earth in a temporary state of “sleep.” At the very moment of death, however, the soul is absent from the body and present with the Lord forever, consciously alive in His presence.

Scripture confirms this immediate presence with Christ:

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NASB).
“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Philippians 1:23 NASB).
“And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise'” (Luke 23:43 NASB).

Sleep describes only the temporary condition of the body—not the destiny of the believer.

What Happens to Believers Who Have Died?

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14 NASB).

At Christ’s return:

Jesus descends with the souls of departed believers (who have been with Him since their death).
Their bodies—whether long buried, scattered as ashes from cremation, or in any other state—are raised by God’s power.
Souls are reunited with glorified, resurrected bodies.

This completes our redemption.

What Happens to Believers Alive at Christ’s Return?

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NASB).

Living believers are instantly transformed: “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NASB).

Dead and living are glorified together in one moment.

The Order of Events: One Glorious Return

This is one public, visible event—not secret:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Lord descends from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, bringing the souls of departed saints.
The dead in Christ rise first—their bodies resurrected and glorified.
Living believers are transformed and caught up together with them.
All believers meet the Lord: “And so we will always be with the Lord”.

Jesus describes the same event: “They will see the Son of Man coming… with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet” (Matthew 24:30–31 NASB)—after the tribulation.

Pre-tribulation rapture theology takes these verses out of context, splitting Christ’s second coming into two phases: a secret coming “for” the saints seven years before the end, then a visible coming “with” the saints after tribulation. This creates three comings (first: manger; second: secret; third: visible) and misplaces the resurrection of dead saints, which clearly occurs at His one post-tribulation return.

The Gospel Hope The Apostles Proclaim

This hope is grounded in grace:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NASB).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NASB).
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NASB).
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB).

“The Lord… not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NASB).

Repent and Believe

Jesus commanded: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15 NASB).

We sin because we are born sinners: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12 NASB). No works or religion can save us—we need a Saviour.

Repentance means acknowledging your sinful nature, abandoning self-trust, and turning to Christ.

Convicted of Sin: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10 NASB); the law exposes guilt (Romans 3:19–20 NASB).
Convicted of Righteousness: “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4 NASB).
Convicted of Judgment: “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NASB); the final judgment is real (Revelation 20:11–15 NASB).

Saving faith trusts Christ’s finished work: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB).

The Call: “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NASB).

Christ is coming. Grace is offered now. Today is the day of salvation.

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