“THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST” – FROM 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-16
(We believe these verses/passages explain the rising of the “dead in Christ” that takes place before the “rapture.”)
The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the “dead in Christ” shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Who are the “dead in Christ” that rise first before we are “caught up” together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air, the “RAPTURE”?
This says “the dead in Christ” shall rise first. Some believe this refers to those who are deceased or “asleep in Christ” being raised to life from an earthen grave (from the dust of the earth). However, verse 14 says “God will bring with Him those who “sleep” (are deceased) in Jesus, and, We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). When saved members in Christ “fall asleep” (“put off” their physical body) we are present with the Lord. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. In this, we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). Our new body is from heaven, not “dust” from an earthen grave.
As we study this passage, know that this New Testament word for “dead” originally recorded in Koine Greek can mean either “physically dead” (deceased as a corpse), or it can mean “spiritually dead” as separated from God by sin (“dead” in trespasses and sins). The following verse uses both connotations of this word for “dead.” Follow Me, and let the “dead” bury their own “dead" (Matthew 8:22). The “dead” (deceased) cannot bury their own “dead” (deceased), however, those who are physically alive but “spiritually dead” in trespasses and sins can bury the body of the “dead” (deceased).
This word “dead”, as in “the dead in Christ shall rise first,” can be those who are physically alive “in Christ” by the Spirit of Jesus Christ being within them, but who are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins for not repenting and believing in Jesus Christ to be forgiven and saved by being made alive together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Believers are born of GOD and saved when forgiven of all trespasses by confessing our sins as we repent by turning from the ways of the world and sin to practice righteousness. We continue to grow in grace and wisdom as Christ is formed in us to be sanctified wholly by being anointed with the Holy Spirit of GOD the Father to be a son and heir of GOD, with our name secured in the book of life go out no more.
Here are five examples of believers who were physically alive, but spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.
1) My son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry (Luke 15:24).
This Father was rejoicing when his son who left home to find happiness in the world returned after he became destitute and spiritually dead in sins by pursuing the lustful ways of the world and sin. Those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and pursue “the sinful ways of the world ” can become "spiritually dead" in trespasses and sins (as a prodigal) until they repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
2) To the angel of the church in Sardis write:……I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead (Revelation 3:1). An example of being physically alive, but spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.
3) But she who lives in self-pleasure is dead even while she lives (1 Timothy 5:6). An example of being spiritually dead by pursuing the lusts of the flesh for pleasure.
4) I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and I know the blasphemy of those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9). “Jews” are those whose heart is circumcised of the sins of the flesh by the Spirit (Romans 2:28-29). The reason the Lord said those who said they were “Jews” but were not, was because they were actually of the synagogue of Satan, spiritually dead in trespasses and sins for practicing unrighteousness.
5) Many of the peoples………. will see their dead bodies three days and a half, and they will not allow their dead bodies to be put in tombs (Revelation 11:9). This prophecy is on the two witnesses who are the saved “Gentiles” (wild olive tree), and the saved descendants of Israel [Jacob] (the good/holy olive tree) who were physically alive but spiritually died for “three and a half days” (a time, times and a half time=42 months =1260 years) after being trodden underfoot by the world through persecution, rejection, and false doctrine.
HOW ARE THE “DEAD IN CHRIST” RAISED?
Some see the “dead in Christ” as believers that arise from an earthen grave at the sound of the trumpet. But what about a body buried perhaps 500+ years ago that has decomposed and become soil that vegetation has grown from that became food for animals or other humans, or what of a decomposed body that was swept away by a flood and dispersed as it was carried away by a stream or river? Our bodies are continually changing through weight gain/loss and as we degenerate with aging. Our outer skin cells are washed away every time we bathe. Our body is from and of the earth. When we “fall asleep,” we are a spirit with a soul that ascends in the presence of the Lord. There is no more death for believers in Christ Jesus who have their name secured in the book of life because we have Eternal Life by being one with GOD.
Those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD have His Spirit in them, which gives them the right to be born of GOD as a child of GOD (John 1:12). However, believers can be as spiritually separated from GOD by sin (as “dead in Christ”) until we are made alive together with Christ when GOD forgives us of all trespasses by repenting and confessing our sins as we trust in Jesus Christ to be forgiven. Jesus Christ came into the world to save us by forgiving us of past sins, and cleansing us of unrighteousness to live a righteous lifestyle to be born of GOD, and then grow in wisdom and grace by Jesus Christ being formed in us to be perfected when sanctified wholly by being anointed with the Holy Spirit of GOD the Father to be a son of GOD in the Kingdom of GOD.
The "dead in Christ" of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 can be seen as believers before the time of the reformation who were spiritually “dead” in trespasses and sins under the Law-like doctrine that entered in perhaps the 5th century to contain the overspreading of abominations (Daniel 9:27) during the fall of the Roman Empire. The Spirit of Christ was cut-off from being received by the grace of God for their faith because of the Law-like doctrine that entered to contain the overspreading of abominations. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace (Galatians 5:4). This happened after sixty-two weeks (after 434 years) from when the Messiah came (Daniel 9:26), and was comparable to the Mosaic Law being added (because of the transgressions of the people) 430 years after the promise by GOD to Abraham (Galatians 3:17). Believers were not forgiven of sins by the grace of GOD for their faith because of following Law-like doctrine (Galatians 5:4).
Believers began to be saved and born again at the time of the reformation by being made alive together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ when they were forgiven of all trespasses by repenting and confessing their sins as they trusted wholly in Jesus Christ to be forgiven, rather than depend upon Law-like doctrine (such as catechism), sacraments, traditions, and the institution of the traditional Church for salvation. This is seen in prophecy from the books of Daniel and Revelation.
The “dead in Christ” of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 can also be seen as those “in Christ” by having the Spirit of Jesus Christ in them, who are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins because they are not forgiven by placing their faith in Jesus Christ to be forgiven and made alive together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ (born of GOD) when forgiven of all trespasses by confessing their sins as they repent of the ways of the world and sin. They are “in Christ” by the Spirit of Jesus Christ being within them, but are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, hence “dead in Christ.” These “dead in Christ” can “rise from the dead” by being made alive together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ when forgiven of all trespasses by turning from the ways of the world and sin to practice righteousness as they trust GOD to be forgiven by the grace of GOD for their faith in Jesus Christ.
The “dead in Christ” of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 can also be seen as members “in Christ” that have been saved (born of GOD) by being made alive together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ within them. Repentant believers are conformed to a likeness of Jesus Christ and His death as they are spiritually crucified with Christ to “destroy” the sin in their life. When the sinner we were has “died” to the sins of the flesh to practice righteousness we are born of GOD and saved, justified by being joined together with the Spirit of Jesus Christ into His death and raised to life by being made alive together with His Spirit. Believers that are born of GOD are no longer spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins,” we are “dead in Christ,” in that, we have spiritually died with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in us. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; (Galatians 2:20a). You died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). We are risen from being spiritually dead in trespasses and sins when we are born of GOD by being made alive together with His Spirit when we are forgiven of all trespasses by repenting and confessing our sins as we trust in the name of Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
The seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
For the kingdoms of this world to become the Kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ (His anointed bride-Us), we need to work together as members of one body and one another to bring it to pass, because Jesus Christ said…..Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. And every city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matthew 12:25). There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; (nor Republican or Democrat, nor Protestant or Catholic nor whatever) for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
With the upcoming 2020 election, it is time for true Christians that are born of the Spirit by faith and practicing righteousness to rise and fulfill prophecy by standing-up for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of GOD and vote to re-elect President Donald J Trump to continue to bring the kingdoms of this world to be the Kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, that’s Us!!
We need to stop the Democrats from; destroying our country, lying, wasting our resources, corrupting, blocking progress, deceiving, perverting our children, persecuting, and trying to turn the people from GOD.
If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly/sinner appear (1 Peter 4:18)?
……doers of the Law will be justified (Romans 2:13b).
The “just/righteous” (those who practice righteousness) shall live (be born again) by faith (Romans 1:17).
……..everyone who does righteousness is born of GOD (1 John 2:29b).
He who does righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous (1 John 3:7b).
God will justify the circumcised (heart) by faith, and the uncircumcised (heart) through faith (Romans 3:30).
He made Him sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21)
Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24)
In every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him (Acts 10:35)
Workers of iniquity, I never knew you (Matthew 7:23).
Live according to the flesh, and you die, but put to death the sins of the flesh, and you will live (Rom 8:13).
Those who practice unrighteousness (sins of the flesh) shall not inherit the Kingdom of GOD (Gal 5:21).
……everyone not practicing righteousness is not of God, also he who does not love his brother (1 John 3:10).
With love in the name of the Lord Jesus,..........may GOD bless
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