But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
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 by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1Thessalonians 4:13-18
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 85095557 The classic Rapture text.
Nice find!
You're learning ....
That text refers to the resurrection.
How do we know it is the resurrection? By looking at the context defined in 1th 4:14 which is talking about the resurrection of Christ and in the future our resurrection also.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
The fact of the matter is people like yourself in this thread and others have made this a religious doctrine in itself when scripture is very clear on God's promise to remove His bride.
Scripture is clear that we are not appointed unto
God's WrathWe can agree on that point (I hope) OK?
Now we have to ascertain when God's Wrath begins, for we can be certain that we are not around when God's Wrath falls.
In Revelation 6:17 we see clearly when God's Wrath comes:
“For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
That occurs immediately after the cosmic disturbances prior in Chapter 6 of Revelation AND also stated by Jesus Himself in the Olivet Discourse:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." Matt 24:29
These cosmic events occur at the 6th Seal and mark the end of the tribulation period and the beginning of the Day of the Lord's Wrath.
It makes perfect sense that in the interlude of Chapter 7, the 144K are sealed and the church is raptured/resurrected.
You can read about your rapture/resurrection in Revelation 7:9-17
God's Wrath commences in Chapter 8, with the church safe in Heaven.
