1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 English Standard Version

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. ¹⁶ 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.

This has been used many times in reference to His Second Coming. It is without a doubt the desire of all of us who want to be with the Lord. As we discussed previously how does this fit into the vision for the hope of all creation? This is just a portion of creation, where is the completion of the promise for all creation here?

Does His descending equal touchdown? A cry of command is given. What is His command that we cannot refuse? It does not say and each of us has a hope of what is to be heard and obeyed. Since it is not for private interpretation, what else is in play at this time?

Consider this, the very next chapter begins with this phrase, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers”. Times and seasons, not a singular event being addressed but now adding to the previous prophecy, another concerning the Day of the Lord. Are they connected?

Returning to the opening verse we will see, a command, an archangel’s voice and a trumpet blast. That is three separate things and should be considered as they relate to this event and how it all plays out for all creation.

One line of scripture does not explain everything.

Romans 8:19-21 English Standard Version

¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Continuing where we left off yesterday, let us focus on this anticipation to which each of us eagerly await.

Do we all wait upon the same thing? Do we all have the same understanding of the coming events? Do we allow our hope to replace God’s promises and the foretelling of things to look for?

It would be nice if we all agreed about what happens next. Some look to signs and wonders. So much has been written about the end times that it is hard to piece it all together in a timeline that makes it all clear.

If we are looking for the freedom that comes with the recreation of creation, then those images must fit everything because it is all creation upon which the future will fall. It will not be just those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior who are affected by that future.

This may be the problem with seeing the coming future. We want to see what happens to us and our loved ones without respect to the rest of creation. It all has to fit or our hope is for a future of our own desire.

2 Peter 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

So what do we look for in truth?

His second coming perhaps?