The Coming of the Lord

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-181. The Coming of the Lord…provides hope when we are grieving.13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 2. The Coming of the Lord…is rooted in the gospel.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.3. The Coming of the Lord…will follow God’s specific order.16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17a4. The Coming of the Lord…will usher in eternity.“…and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17b51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:“Death is swallowed up in victory.”55 “O death, where is your victory?    O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:51-555. The Coming of the Lord…compels us to encourage one another.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.