WEEKLY BIBLE COMMENTARY by Wes Woodard 2-5

Paul does not want the Thessalonian church to be overly concerned about Christians in their congregation who had already passed away. In verse 14 he says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” Then with reference to us who are still alive he says, “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 already passed away.” Verse 16 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout and the voice of the Archangel with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” The words “caught up” are one word in the Greek text, (h)αρπάζων. This word means, to rescue from a threatening danger: like from a fire. This is the way it is used in Jude 23. The Rapture will rescue all Christians from the Great Tribulation.