Excel Still More #13		“The Coming of the Lord”	4:15-17

Intro:	This AM, the focus of paragraph; Deal Differently with Death.
•	Some important truth about His Coming; our Hope.

Basic information about His Coming from the Word.

READ 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17
	Note: Precede = a matter of first priority

Concern:	Will our loved ones miss out on the glory, the joy of
		The Day of the Lord?  (central expectation)

T/S – Sunday Night… Put it all out on the counter… Take what you
	Want and find nourishment…  Not much time on presentation.

Five Words from these three verses that are vital to our Hope.

1.	Coming (vs. 15)
	Three NT words used to describe the return of Jesus:
		Apokalupsis (unveiling…revelation)
		Epiphaneia (appearing)
		Parousia (presence)….. So Here
•	Personal (He Himself)
•	Physical  (Face to Face)
•	Visible  (We will See Him)
•	Unexpected (Next Sunday)
•	Triumphant and Glorious

	Wesley Hymn, “Lo , He comes with clouds descending”

2.	Trumpet (vs. 16)
	“Shout” – a cry of command…military context… Trumpet!
	Matthew 24: 29-31 – note Trumpet…  Zechariah & Isaiah
		Exodus 19:16 – 19 Moses on Sinai

	When we stand in the Presence of Jesus, we will be standing
	In the Holy Presence and Glory of God!

3.	Caught Up (vs. 17)
	When this word is translated into latin; rapio… Rapture.
	Rapture – to be snatched up; taken up by a force outside 			     yourself.  
	Cf. -- 	Philip (Acts 8:39) snatched away by the Spirit
		Paul (Acts 23:10) taken up by force by Romans

	Usually Leads to discussion about When(sequence with events)
	Before the Tribulation (Pre) or After the Tribulation (Post)
	During the Tribulation (Mid)…  

	Separation in time between the Coming FOR and 
	the Coming WITH…  (7 years; 3 ½ years…)

	Not Paul’s concern here  (reconciling this with other texts)
	T/S – Pauls concern is not When, but WHY?

4.	To Meet the Lord (vs. 17)
	Exp – Meeting is a noun, not a verb… For the Meeting 
		We will be caught up for an Occasion:  The Meeting

		Almost Technical = ceremonial reception accorded a
					Distinguished person.
		Describe an apavtasin… Go meet and bring into city.
			
•	Cicero of Julius Caesar in Italian cities
•	Matthew 25:6 – Go our to Meet the Bridegroom
•	Acts 28: 15-16a --  43 miles and 33 miles… To Meet

	Point = Honor for the Guest and Honor for the Greeter!

5.	In the Clouds (vs. 17)
	Paul did not simply add clouds for effect 	(like directing SS 	play…trumpet, angels…what are we missing?)
	
	Connects His Teaching to the Whole Counsel of God’s Word
	Daniel 7: 13-14; Matthew 24:31 and Acts 1: 9-11
•	He Will Keep His Promise!

Conclusion

Paul shows no concern for Geography… Location.

	What next… 	OK; we are with each other; in the air; with the 			Lord…then where will we go?!

We want to speculate about Return to Earth or Going the Heaven… 

We will be with the Lord forever!

Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
	Joy like a river around me will flow;
    Yet just a smile from my Savior I know
	Will through the ages be glory for me.