1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.

5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

MEMORY VERSE: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be re- vealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8

CENTRAL THOUGHT: Jesus Christ will soon come in power and glory to raise the dead and gather His chosen saints unto Him, raising from the dead those who died faithful to Him, and those who are yet alive, casting away the wicked unto everlasting destruction and taking His faithful saints to be with Him forever.

WORD DEFINITIONS

1 Thessalonians 4:13, “asleep”: Those who have passed away in death.

Ver. 14, “will God bring with him”: God will raise the dead who are saved as He raised Christ. Ver. 15, “not prevent”: Not come forth ahead of the dead.

Ver. 16, “the trump of God”: God’s call to the dead to be risen to life.

5:2 “as a thief in the night”: Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Ver. 3, “when they shall say, peace and safety”: When people of the world think that everything is just fine and ideal. “sudden destruction”: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52); just that sudden will the Lord appear in final judgment.

Ver. 6, “be sober”: Be self controlled, ready, and on our guard against the devil.

Ver. 8, “of the day”: In the glorious light of Christ.

Ver. 9, “not appointed us to wrath”: Not sentenced us to destruction.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 “recompense”: Repay and return trouble to those who make trouble.

Ver. 7, “rest with us”: Deliverance from destruction with all the faithful and true. “revealed from heaven”: Suddenly appear in power and glory.

Ver. 8, “flaming fire”: The consuming fire of God’s wrath “taking vengeance”: Pouring out His wrath.

Ver. 10, “glorified in his saints and admired in all them that believe”: Worshipped, adored, praised, and joyfully welcomed.

LESSON BACKGROUND

For our final lesson in this series we will continue from our last lesson and consider, along with Peter’s warnings, some of Paul’s writings concerning the coming of the Lord in that last great day. And, as we survey and meditate on the wonderful truth of the coming of the Lord, our hearts are filled with joy and gladness. We have a blessed hope and a very precious future to look forward to!

Our first thoughts in this lesson are about the dear ones who have passed from this earthly life who were truly saved and lived godly, holy lives. We have wonderful tidings about what we can look forward to! God is going to resurrect them to immortal bodies and everlasting life. They are going to rise up from the graves (the earth they were buried in will have passed away) and we are going to join with them and be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. Oh, what a sight that will be! “So shall we ever be with the Lord!” But then, as we joyfully think of these things, there is the sad picture of destruction coming upon the ungodly and those who are not prepared. It surely pays to get right with our Creator and live in readiness for that great day to come!

Our lesson portrays the coming of the Lord as with His mighty angels. Just how that will be we may not be able to comprehend, but it will be also in flaming fire. This is not literal, earthly fire, but the powerful destructive fire of God’s wrath. And it will fall on all who do not have fellowship with God and have not obeyed the gospel of Christ. They will be punished with everlasting destruction from His presence, but He will be glorified, praised, worshipped, and admired by all who received the testimony of His grace and salvation and prepared to meet Him. Oh, what a joyful meeting that will be! Lord, help us all to be faithful and be accounted worthy to escape the destruction of the wicked and to stand accepted with Him!

–Bro. Leslie Busbee

QUESTIONS:

1. What will take place when Jesus comes again in power and great glory?

2. What will it be to be caught up together with the departed saints?

3. How will it be with those who are not prepared for that day?

4. What must we do to be fully prepared to meet the Lord?

5. In whom will He be glorified by whom will He be admired?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

The studies of this series of lessons has covered a good number of subjects. In it all is set forth the wonderful salvation that has been brought and made available to us through the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God into this earthly state, and the great grace and salvation that He has provided for us to have and enjoy. Through the virtue and power of the salvation Christ brought, we can be saved from the power of sin and the transgression of the holy Word of God. It can be completely defeated and destroyed out of our hearts and lives. We can turn away from the ways of lust, pride, foolishness, hatred, strife, and all other ungodly paths that are offered to us from this wicked world and society.

I can look back in my youth and remember the influence and drawing that prevailed over my heart and mind, causing me to have habits and ways that were sinful and very displeasing to God and the teachings of the Bible. I thank the Lord for a godly mother and godly saints who helped to influence me to turn away from sin and to seek the grace and salvation that Jesus Christ suffered and died to bring to us. God blessed and saved me in my 18th year and I have had a happy and successful life in His will and in His service. I would like to encourage all young people to take the course that I took, for it has brought me much happiness and a bright and blessed hope and anticipation of eternal joys and blessings. The world holds out its charm and attractions, but there lurks behind its attractions the sad truth of its sad and bitter end. May the Lord bless these wonderful Bible truths to every one, is my prayer.

—Bro. Leslie Busbee

REFLECTIONS

The second coming of Jesus Christ is an event none of us have yet experienced.

We have attended many different kinds of events — birthday events, wedding events, and yes, maybe even funeral gatherings. We usually have a pretty good idea of what to expect when it comes to proper attire and conduct, but if we are unsure about details there is usually someone we can ask who is more knowledgeable and can give us more information.

I have thought about this event of Jesus’ second coming and wondered. What will it be like? What will the sounds be? Will I know what is going on around me or will I only be looking at Jesus? So many questions cross my mind. I only have one source to turn to learn about that last and final day – the words recorded in the Bible. Not one person on this earth can “clue me in” on what to expect. And yet. It will be the event of all events. The culmination of all things and peoples of this world from all ages of time. It is almost beyond comprehension to think of such a day.

God doesn’t “spring surprises” on us, though. He has given us a pretty detailed narrative on what we can expect to happen. He then adequately instructed us on how to live so we will be prepared for the event of His second coming. Do we believe that day will really come? Are any details of life more important than these? Comfortingly, we have a wondrous opportunity today to know Jesus before He comes back – to know the warmth of His love and to experience His compassion and mercy in every event, situation, and circumstance of our earthly lives. While we might have questions and wonder about His second coming, we need never wonder about Jesus Himself. The last words in red we have recorded in the Bible are these: “Surely, I come quickly.” Let us take heed.

—Sis. Julie Elwell