Question on Death, Asleep in Christ and Resurrection
Asking about death, being asleep, the resurrection of the dead, and the rapture. I always think about this, but every time I try to make sense of it, when using it in context and perceiving it with all of scripture as a whole, I always believe/think that this rapture theory is really not physical but spiritual. What I mean is that the definition of the Latin word rapture is more of an emotional/mental/spiritual experience IMHO, and the Greek word for "caught up" speaks of the lowest level atmosphere, ground level I presume. Further, I believe that the "dead in Christ shall rise first" means those that backslid and didn't "stay awake" and "keep watch" like our Lord commanded, for the ones that obeyed and kept watch for the Lord need not rise because we are already risen with Him in Heavenly places. Here is a link to verses that speak of being awake. Please let me know what you think, I would like to hear your opinion on this. http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_spiritually_awake
Answer:
This is a really big subject and there are different nuances as you say. We can be spiritual asleep. Take for instance the Wise and Foolish Virgins (both virgins—that is they are true to God, one group is wise and the other foolish—backslidden.) Both groups go out to meet the bridegroom—this is an end time parable—both groups sleep or are not really ready when he didn’t come when they thought—but both groups hear the cry and go—the other finds out they don’t have what it takes to complete the journey and have to backtrack.
I think the context of Thessalonians shows the dead and the asleep are actually in the grave and not spiritually asleep. If one is spiritually dead—there is no hope for that person, they have sinned the sin unto death and there remains no more sacrifice—they are second death.
1Th 4:13-18
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Verse 13 is talking about literal death—otherwise why would there be sorrow?
Verse 14 is talking about Jesus literally dying and raising again and that showing that is our hope as well and that Jesus will bring with Jesus at the end time.
Verse 15 is talking about those living at Parousia of Jesus and the word for “prevent” is really “proceed”, that is the dead that come with Jesus at his Parousia are raised first—even though there are still Christians alive down here right now.
Verse 16 –the trump—in Corinthians called last trump—is the same as the 7th trump in Revelation—showing us when this will happen.
Verse 17—then the faithful Christians that are alive will receive their change and meet those that are already risen and with the Lord.
There are other scriptures that talk about the resurrection of the sleeping or dead saints:
Joh_6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
This scripture applies throughout the Gospel Age, but the last part is talking about their resurrection, as in Thessalonians.
Which is the promise that Mary quoted to Jesus when Lazarus was asleep in the grave--" I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. "
also these scriptures:
Joh_6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh_6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Answer:
This is a really big subject and there are different nuances as you say. We can be spiritual asleep. Take for instance the Wise and Foolish Virgins (both virgins—that is they are true to God, one group is wise and the other foolish—backslidden.) Both groups go out to meet the bridegroom—this is an end time parable—both groups sleep or are not really ready when he didn’t come when they thought—but both groups hear the cry and go—the other finds out they don’t have what it takes to complete the journey and have to backtrack.
I think the context of Thessalonians shows the dead and the asleep are actually in the grave and not spiritually asleep. If one is spiritually dead—there is no hope for that person, they have sinned the sin unto death and there remains no more sacrifice—they are second death.
1Th 4:13-18
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Verse 13 is talking about literal death—otherwise why would there be sorrow?
Verse 14 is talking about Jesus literally dying and raising again and that showing that is our hope as well and that Jesus will bring with Jesus at the end time.
Verse 15 is talking about those living at Parousia of Jesus and the word for “prevent” is really “proceed”, that is the dead that come with Jesus at his Parousia are raised first—even though there are still Christians alive down here right now.
Verse 16 –the trump—in Corinthians called last trump—is the same as the 7th trump in Revelation—showing us when this will happen.
Verse 17—then the faithful Christians that are alive will receive their change and meet those that are already risen and with the Lord.
There are other scriptures that talk about the resurrection of the sleeping or dead saints:
Joh_6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
This scripture applies throughout the Gospel Age, but the last part is talking about their resurrection, as in Thessalonians.
Which is the promise that Mary quoted to Jesus when Lazarus was asleep in the grave--" I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. "
also these scriptures:
Joh_6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh_6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
