"Ready or Not, Here He Comes"1 Thess. 4:13-18

By Pastor Marco David

INTRODUCTIONAs many of us have, when I was a kid, I played the game hide and seek. In this game the person doing the seeking would have their back turned and counted to 10 before they tried looking for those who were finding a place to hide. When they were done counting they would shout, "Ready or not, here I come." Whether you had found a place to hide or not, the seeker was coming for you.

Concerning the coming of the Lord, Paul wrote: "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" (1 Thess. 4:16).

Brothers and sisters, at a time that no one knows but the Lord, we will hear a shout coming from heaven. We will hear the voice of an archangel and the sound of the trumpet, which will arrest our souls like nothing ever has. And whether we are ready or not THE LORD IS COMING--JESUS IS GOING TO DESCEND FROM HEAVEN.

Obviously, there are major differences and implications between the shout, "Ready or not here I come" in the game "hide and seek" and the shout the redeemed will hear when the Lord returns. One huge difference is that unlike the game there isn't a counting to ten or a countdown that we can precisely hear that precedes the shout from heaven at the coming of the Lord.

Now I didn't say there isn't a countdown of sorts. I said that we can't hear that count down. But there is a prophetic countdown—there are what we refer to as the signs of the times that point to the soon return of the Lord. At the same time the bible is clear that no man knows the day or the hour. Some seem to ignore these scriptures and try to predict when the Lord will return.

But all the date setting that I myself was sucked into when I first got saved has not helped the cause of Christ. Instead it's only hurt the cause of Christ especially before unbelievers who have seen these dates come and go.

Watch out for those who through their blood moon theories and bible code predictions think they got this thing all figured out. Jesus said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

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But although we can't know the day or the hour, the bible does teach that we can know what the days will be like. Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:36-39)

We see here once again that although we can't know the day of the Lord's return, we can know what the days will be like. What will they be like? Jesus said they will be like the days of Noah. What were the days of Noah like? They were days of indifference and ignorance .

Before the flood came the people of Noah's day were eating, and drinking and getting married. This speaks of their indifference. You see Noah, who according to 2 Peter 2:5 was a preacher of righteousness, no doubt warned of the coming flood, but the people dismissed the warnings and probably mocked him while they went about business as usual.

In addition to their indifference, there was ignorance. Jesus said, "and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

"One man stopped another man on the street and ask him, do you know what the two biggest problems in the world are today? The man said, I don't know and I don't care. He said, “You have them both.” The two great problems in the world today are what? Ignorance and indifference." (Adrian Rogers).

When it comes to the return of the Lord and the catastrophic end time events prophesied in the Scriptures which are clearly unfolding in the world before our eyes, most people don't have a clue or don't care or both. When Jesus comes many, including our friends, neighbors and family members will be unprepared and it will be too late to do anything about it.

When it comes to the signs of the times we can point to what Jesus prophesied about like the increasing frequency of earthquakes, and the escalation of wars and rumors of wars. We can point to the prophesied reestablishment of the Nation of Israel in 1948 which is the biblical center of end time events. When it comes to the signs of the times we can also point to the rising tensions and hatred towards the Jewish people by hundreds of millions of Muslim that surround their relatively small nation, and that seek its destruction. And by the way, the fact that the Nation Israel even exists considering the surmounting odds that are against them, is a

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testimony to the sovereign power and purposes of God, who will in the future reestablish His covenant with His people when Christ comes to reign on the earth.

In addition to these signs of the times and many more, remember Jesus said, "as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." And as we saw already these were days of ignorance and indifference which, if you study them more closely, created other corrupt conditions that are like the corrupt conditions of our day.

Concerning the days of Noah before the flood came, the bible says in Genesis 6:11, "Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11)

There are many things we can say about the days of Noah and how they mirror the days before the coming of Jesus, but what I want to highlight from Genesis 6:11 is that they were days filled with violence. This corresponds to Matthew 24:12 where Jesus said about the end times: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12

Is there any doubt that we live in a world of senseless and cold blooded violence? We who live in Chicago should have no doubts. We live in the most violent city in the country.

According to recent crime stats in 2015 there has been about 500 people murdered on the streets of Chicago and close to 3000 shooting victims which is a more telling stat. The reason I say it's a more telling stat is because the reason the murder rate is not even higher than what we see is due to the advancement in medicine and in particular the advancement in emergency room care – and Chicago has some of the best in the world. If it wasn't for the way that our trauma units can literally bring people back from the dead, the murder rate would be in the thousands.

As it was in the days of Noah, days filled with violence, so will the coming of the Lord be. Increasing Islamic terrorism around the world that I'm afraid is coming to a neighborhood near you, shootings on our streets, in movie theaters, schools and even churches. And what is horribly the most telling stat of all the over 58,000,000 murders of innocent babies in the womb of their mothers in the USA through abortion since Roe vs Wade. This year alone in the US there have been over 988,000 abortions. And do you realize that more Christians have been martyred in the last 150 years than all the previous 1800 years of church history combined? All this unrelenting and increasing violence alone screams that the prophetic countdown of end time events is coming to completion, and the return of the Lord, who will judge this corrupt world, is drawing near.

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In view of all this, what should be the response and the attitude of Christians? How should the promise of Christ’s return alter the way believers live their lives? The answer to these questions will be the main theme of our message today.

MAIN IDEAThe promise of Christ return produces hopefulness, readiness and steadfastness in the lives of those who await His appearing.

To observe this theme from our text we are going to see 3 points that speak to a biblical response to the promise of Christ's return.

1. The preeminence of His coming brings hopefulness:

The first point to observe is that the preeminence of His coming brings hopefulness. During a time of persecution, and uncertainty Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believer who were preserving in faith: “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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

Notice that unlike those in the days of Noah who were ignorant and indifferent about the coming flood, Paul wrote that he did not want the Thessalonian believers to be uninformed and he clearly did not want them to be indifferent about the coming of Jesus for His bride the church.

It appears that the Thessalonian believers, who were already taught by Paul to look forward to the coming of Christ, may have been losing heart that he had not returned and perhaps concerned as a result for those believers who had already died.

They probably wondered, “If the Lord returns, what happens to our believing family members, and brothers and sisters in Christ that have already died. What about their bodies? If their souls are already in heaven, will their bodies forever remain in the grave? Are they at a disadvantage? And if the Lord doesn't return in our life time will we be at a disadvantage?

Before we look at how Paul addressed their concern and confusion about the return of the Lord, I think it's important to address and point out that there seems to be confusion today among believers that leads to indifference concerning the return of Christ. Furthermore, there are different views concerning the sequence of end time

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events among well-known and respected bible teachers that sometimes leaves us with more questions than answers. Truth be told, there are some things about the sequence of end time events that I'm not totally clear on.

But one thing we must be absolutely convinced about and that we can be sure of based on the prophetic accuracy and authority of the word of God is that, dead or alive, Jesus is coming for us.

We cannot allow confusion or disagreement about the sequence of end times events get in the way of us waiting with anticipation for the Lord's return and ordering our lives accordingly.

"For many of us the return of Jesus often seems theoretical, far off and quite irrelevant to our daily existence. We think that prophecy is a scheme to be understood by mature Christians but recent converts (we believe) need other kinds of doctrine. After all, Christ has not returned in the last two thousand years and He might not return before the next thousand years have expired. So, we surmise, let the return of Christ be the last topic to be studied and grasped. Looking for Christ's return is a wonderful ideal, but practical people have other matters to worry about. But the apostle strongly disagrees with the notion that the study of prophecy should be left for the curious minded folk who are so "heavenly minded" that they lack the practicality of how to live on earth. He did not intend that the events that surround the return of Jesus just be investigated by prophecy buffs who spend time wondering if they know who the antichrist is or whether the European Union is the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. Don't misunderstand, these topics are all relevant, but if we are sidetracked by such discussions we might miss the very purpose of why prophecy was given to us. Prophecy is intended for every believer because the return of Christ is to be our focus and hope" (Erwin Lutzer, The King is Coming).

So to clear up any confusion or ignorance about the Lord's return which leads to indifference, Paul explained that when the Lord does return the dead in Christ are not only not at a disadvantage, they are going to rise first. It's been said that the reason they rise first is because they have six more feet to travel then those who will be alive at the coming of the Lord.

Now Paul is clarifying these truths so that the promise of the Lord's return would remain preeminent, would remain front and center in our Christian lives and continue to bring us assurance and hope even in difficult times.

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This leads us to our second point:

2. The imminence of His coming brings preparedness:

The imminence of His coming brings preparedness. Remember that Paul’s aim for laying out some sequence concerning the Lord’s return was to clear up any confusion about it that could lead to among other things discouragement. Additionally, as we saw already, ignorance or confusion can lead to indifference and as we will see it can also lead to unpreparedness.

Let me clarify further what Paul’s aim was in writing about the sequence of the Lord’s return. It wasn’t to answer every detail about end time events, but to get their eyes back on the blessed Hope of end time events, namely the appearance of Jesus!

Although Paul for example mentions some details about the rise of the Anti-Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2 to clear up more confusion about false teaching that the day of the Lord had already come; he didn’t do so to get believers fixated on who the Anti-Christ will be and where he will rise up from. He pointed to the rise of the antichrist to quell their misinformed fears that they missed the return of Christ, and get their eyes back on the descent of Jesus from heaven to receive His bride the church.

With this in mind notice that Paul continued, “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.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Now it’s clear from this passage and many others in the New Testament that Paul clearly taught what theologians refer to as the imminent return of Christ, which means that he can come at any moment. Once again, there are many other scriptures which clearly teach the imminence and suddenness of the Lord’s return.

For example, Paul commends the Thessalonian believers because they had turned from idols not only to serve God, but He adds in verse 10: “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Now, the fact that the bible teaches clearly in these passages and others that the coming of the Lord is imminent, and that He is coming for His bride the Church, and that when He comes He will deliver believers from the wrath to come, is why

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some bible teachers including myself believe that the promise of the Lord’s return happens in two stages. These two stages have been referred to as (1) the pre-tribulation rapture of the church and (2) the second coming, or second advent, where Christ comes with His church to judge the earth and reign for 1000 years.

By the way some would argue that the rapture is not biblical because the word rapture is not found in the bible. Although technically it’s true that in our English bibles the word rapture is not found, what the word describes is clearly taught in scriptures as we see in our text. Paul wrote in verse 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 Thess. 4:17a).

The Latin word for “caught up” is rapturo from which we get the word rapture. So although the word is not found in our English bibles it’s clear that what the word describes is taught in the scriptures, namely that when Jesus comes, believer will be caught up, snatched away to meet the Lord in the air.

To biblically distinguish between the rapture of the church from the second coming, Erwin Lutzer writes, “Consider (1) we are raptured to “meet the Lord in the air,” whereas at the glorious return (or second coming) Jesus descends to earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives; (2) at the rapture there is no mention of Jesus fighting a battle; at the glorious return (second coming) He fights to defend Jerusalem and destroy the armies who oppose His rule; (3) the tribulation is a time when the wrath of God is poured out onto the earth, but believers are assured they are saved “from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10); and finally, (4) although there are no specific signs as to when the rapture might occur, there are many signs given that anticipate the Lord’s returning (to the earth) in power and great glory. Clearly Paul taught the believers in Thessalonica that the rapture could happen at any moment.”

One reason it’s vital to understand that the scriptures teach that the return of the Lord is imminent is that it compels us to live with a sense of preparedness to meet the Lord and to work with a sense of urgency to spread the hope of the gospel in a lost world that will soon be judged. Let me repeat there is no sign or prophecy that you should be looking for or that needs to be fulfilled before the rapture of the church takes place.

As I mentioned already we don’t need to be looking for the rise of the Antichrist and other signs that will eventually be revealed at the start of the great tribulation. Although we may even in our day see certain geopolitical events unfolding that make us believe that we are nearing the time when God wraps up history, this should not be our main focus. Our main focus should be on Jesus the bridegroom

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who at any moment, whether we are ready or not, is going to return for His bride the church.

Are you ready to meet the Lord? Will you be found faithful? You won't be if you are waiting for some sign or something else to get busy for God? Remember, Jesus said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

3. The solace of His coming brings steadfastness:

Lastly, notice from our text and others that the solace of His coming brings steadfastness. After laying out the sequence of the rapture Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Once again, Paul’s aim for laying out the sequence that he gives regarding the Lord’s return was to clear up confusion about what happens to believers who have already died before the Lord’s return and to encourage believers that our alive to remain steadfast in the faith in view of the Lord’s return.

Notice that on another occasion after encouraging the Corinthian believers in view of the return of Christ and the resurrection of the bodies of believers to be reunited with their eternal souls to be with Christ forever, Paul writes: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in  the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Have you noticed that when it comes to the topic of the Lord’s return there seems to be among some believers one of two unhealthy extremes? You have those who because of ignorance and confusion about the Lord’s return are indifferent about it and as a result the preeminence and promise of the rapture of the church has no bearing upon their lives.

But then you have those who are so bogged down and fixated on the details of end time events and whether or not the rapture happens before the tribulation, in the middle of the tribulation or after the tribulation that they miss the whole point and aim of the promise of the Lord’s return.

I’ve known believers over the years that are more excited about identifying the rise of the antichrist than they are seeing Jesus in all His glory when He returns. And although they may seem to have lots of knowledge of end time events they don’t have an intimate knowledge of the glory of Christ that makes them steadfast in the work of the Lord and creates a greater longing to see the fullness of His glory at His coming.

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There are other unhealthy views and attitudes about the rapture that time will not allow us to cover today. But let me briefly mention that some, especially in America, who believe like I do in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church sometimes have an unhealthy view of the biblical call to suffer for the cause of Christ. Consequently they make little difference for the kingdom or God, and experience little of the power of His sustaining grace because they are unwilling to take risk and make sacrifices to spread the fame of Jesus. Instead, when persecution arises because of their faith or when they experience any kind of suffering they become disillusioned and even fall away from the faith, which is an indication that they never possessed true saving faith.

Another unhealthy extreme is seen in those who believe that the church will go through the great tribulation described in the book of Revelation and in fear they isolate themselves from the world that in their estimation is beyond redemption and to an even greater extreme may be preparing to further isolate themselves by going underground.

“As settled as the Thessalonians were about doctrinal issues, surprisingly they were confused when thinking about the Lord’s return. Their confusion was evidenced in two ways. First, some of the Thessalonians were guilty of extremism. Their overzealous reaction to the Lord’s return was creating conflict with each other and sending the wrong message to a watching world. Convinced that Christ was on His way, some deadbeat members of the fellowship had apparently quit their jobs and were depending on others to meet their needs (1 Thess. 4:12; 2 Thess. 3:11-12). As you can imagine, such irresponsible conduct bred frustration within the church. Perhaps even more troubling, however was the poor testimony that Christians were conveying to a lost city. I think that it is safe to say that excessive eschatological (end time's) fanaticism does more to drive people away from Christ than it does to draw people to Him” (Christ Centered Exposition Commentary).

Brothers and sisters, a biblical view of the return of Christ does not lead one to believe that Christians are exempt from suffering or into isolation or to be a deadbeat. On the contrary, a biblical view of the return of Christ makes one willing to suffer and to remain steadfast in the work of the Lord knowing that it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

CONCLUSIONIf we are going to know the solace, preparedness and hopefulness that the promise of the Lord's return is intended to produce, it must remain preeminent in our lives.

We must be diligent to remain biblically informed and prayerfully enlightened about the promise of His coming. But at the same time we must be careful not get

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sidetracked by the details of prophecy that we miss the main purpose for why they are given, namely to keep us focus on the blessed hope of Christ's return in a way that leads to a reordering of our lives to live for the greater fame of Jesus.

Are you ready to meet the Lord? Will you be found faithful when He comes? You won't be if you are waiting for signs more than you're waiting expectantly for Jesus to light up the sky with His glory.

He's coming soon to take us home to be with Him FOREVER! "...straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).

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