Jesus is Coming – Part 6

First Thessalonians, chapter number four. Look at verse number thirteen, if you would notice, there is a hard shift that takes place. Verse twelve, he said to walk honestly toward them that are without but. Verse thirteen, he starts off with the word but. And again, any time you see the word but in your Bible, there is a contrast that is coming. There is an opposing view that is coming from what we have been to talking about. So there’s a shift that’s taking place in the letter and so verse thirteen. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope.

Introduction

Title: “Jesus is Coming – Part 6” Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

We continue our study in First Thessalonians as Paul instructs the church about the Lord’s return. Tonight’s message focuses on the anticipated coming of Christ, the comfort it provides believers in times of loss, and the call to live soberly and watchfully. We will explore the hope of resurrection for the dead in Christ, the sequence and nature of the rapture, and the characteristics of the day of the Lord so that Christians may be prepared, encouraged, and motivated to greater faithfulness.

Coming. Christ is coming. And as Brother Nick had mentioned, we are getting into the thick of that doctrine here tonight.

Outline

1. The Shift in Paul’s Message
   1. Contrast and Context — Paul signals a change with the word “but” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Up to this point he has addressed practical concerns; now he addresses hope in the face of death.
   2. Past pastoral preparation — Paul had taught identity, intercession, interest, insurance, and investment in the church; this doctrine fits into that pastoral correction and encouragement.
2. Description of the Dead in the Lord
   1. Hope for the deceased Christian — “But I would not have you to be ignorant…that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) We grieve as believers, but with hope of reunion.
   2. Heaven assured — “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14) Christ’s resurrection guarantees our ascent to glory.
   3. Authority of God’s Word — “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord…” (1 Thessalonians 4:15) The rapture doctrine is not opinion but apostolic revelation.
3. Analogy of a Delightful Ceremony: The Rapture Sequence
   1. Christ Himself will descend — The Bible emphasizes, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.” It’s personal; the Son comes for His own (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
   2. Threefold trumpet and shout — “With a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” These images stress authority, angelic accompaniment, and divine trumpeting.
   3. Order of resurrection — “The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). The sequence: dead raised, living changed and caught up, meeting the Lord in the air.
   4. Transformation in a moment — 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 explains the instantaneous change “in the twinkling of an eye” at the last trump when corruptible puts on incorruption.
4. Doctrine Clarifications: Angelology and Eschatology
   1. Archangel identified — Jude 1:9 identifies Michael as the archangel; careful study avoids speculative claims about angelic hierarchies and Satan’s original nature (cherub, Ezekiel 28).
   2. Pre-tribulation, premillennial conviction — The preacher affirms a pre-tribulational rapture and a subsequent seven-year tribulation culminating in Christ’s visible return and millennial reign; these are consistent with the passages discussed.
5. Description of the Day of the Lord
   1. Seasonal in occurrence — “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2) The day comes according to God’s timetable.
   2. Sudden as a thief — “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) The sober warning: be ready; no prior personal notice is given.
   3. Illustration of birth pangs — The “travail” picture (5:3) shows signs like wars, earthquakes, and pestilence are like contractions: preparatory, but sudden fulfillment remains.
   4. Seen, not hidden — “Ye are all the children of light…We are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5) Believers recognize the season and are not surprised.
   5. Sober and watchful command — “Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) Spiritual vigilance replaces spiritual sleepiness.
   6. Armor and readiness — “Putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8) Practical, daily application: faith, love, and hope as protective gear.
   7. Not appointed unto wrath — “God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Comfort: the Church is exempt from God’s wrath poured out in the tribulation.
   8. Mutual comfort and edification — “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) The doctrine of Christ’s coming is to strengthen and unify believers.
6. Practical Warnings and Encouragements
   1. Be alert regarding false teachers and date-setters — Scripture warns against antichrists and deceivers; believers must ground their hope in the Word, not in sensational predictions.
   2. See apparent signs rightly — Wars, earthquakes, and moral decay are consistent with “labour pains” but not a timetable; Christians should not be paralyzed by fear but motivated to witness.
   3. Use hope for holy living — The certainty of return should produce steadfastness, zeal, and increased soulwinning rather than complacency or fear.

Summary

Paul’s teaching to the Thessalonian church offers both comfort and command. Comfort: believers need not sorrow as those without hope because Christ’s resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14). Command: live ready—sober, watchful, and clothed in faith, love, and the hope of salvation—because the day of the Lord will come suddenly like a thief and like travail (1 Thessalonians 5:1–8). The rapture is portrayed as a joyful, personal retrieval by the Lord Himself: He descends, the dead in Christ rise first, the living are changed, and we meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52). We are not appointed to wrath but to salvation; therefore, comfort and edify one another and press on in faithful service.

We’re not looking for a sign. Are you listening? Listen. We’re not looking for a sign. We’re listening for a sound.

Application for the Week

Make this week practical. The doctrine of Christ’s imminent return is meant to change how we live. Below are concrete steps to apply the message this week.

1. Daily Watchfulness
   1. Begin each day with a 5–10 minute prayer and Scripture reading focused on hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8). Ask God to make you sober and alert.
   2. Before bed, give a mental inventory: what was the last thing you did today? Would you want Christ to meet you doing that? Let that question shape decisions.
2. Armor Up Practically
   1. Put on “the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation” by memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:8 and reciting it when tempted to spiritual slumber.
   2. Identify one area of life where you need spiritual discipline (Bible reading, prayer, witnessing), and set a small, measurable goal for this week.
3. Comfort and Edify Others
   1. Contact one believer this week who has lost a loved one and share the hope of resurrection from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Offer to pray specifically for them.
   2. Encourage and build up one faithful brother or sister with an honest word, a text, or a short visit—remind them of Christ’s return and the security we have in Him (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
4. Sharpen Your Witness
   1. Make a list of 3 people in your daily circle who need the gospel. Pray for them each day and look for one natural opportunity this week to share the plan of salvation clearly and kindly.
   2. Keep gospel tracts or a short clear testimony ready (30–60 seconds) so you are prepared when an opportunity arises—the Lord may come at any time.
5. Reject Speculation, Embrace Study
   1. Refuse date-setting and sensationalism. If you see a prediction online, test it against Scripture. Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and Matthew 24:36 to remind yourself that only the Father knows the hour.
   2. Commit to a short study on 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4–5 this month to strengthen your understanding of the resurrection and rapture.

Pray these things through this week. Let the hope of Christ’s imminent return make you holy, humble, and active. Serve faithfully, witness boldly, comfort one another continually, and live like those who expect to meet the Lord in the air.