Sabbath: The Dead in Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Acts 17:3; 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 51-58; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:4-6.
Memory Text: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Key Thought: Paul gives the Thessalonians (and us) a powerful hope for the future, the promise of the second coming of Christ.
In the passage for this week (1 Thess. 4:13-18) Paul is reacting to a theological misunderstanding among the Thessalonians. Though we are not entirely clear as to what the error was, some members were definitely in distress regarding the fate of believers who died before Jesus’ return. The issue seems to have been about the difference between those who died before that return and those who would be alive when it happens.
This week we will explore what we know about the situation that led Paul to write 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In this passage Paul not only corrects first-century misunderstandings, but he provides solid ground on which twenty-first century Christians can stand. “ ‘For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets’ “ (Amos 3:7, ESV).And through the prophetic ministry of the apostle Paul, the Lord has revealed to us wonderful truths regarding the nature of the Second Coming. As we study these verses, prayerfully dwell on the incredible hope that’s contained in them for us.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 25.
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What a wonderful assurance! As Christ suffered the darkness of death and rose again on the 3rd day, it gave the Christians hope for an eternal life. What more could we ask for more than this? What love God has for us that we may live with Him through eternity? Truly God's Love springs eternal.
The text in Romans 6:23 now comes alive in our texts of study this week. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." We trully have been blessed in the last over 120 years to have a marvelous preview of what will take place shortly. Be sure to pull out your copy of 'Early Writings', 'The Story of Redemption', and/or 'The Great Controversy', to aid you in your study of the second coming of Jesus. It will be worth it all, believe me.
Oh what a great assurance.
In conclussion we say,"to God be the glory". This lesson assures me and other believers, that there is hope after death for those who die in Christ. We can see the love of God in His word.Thats why I am supportive to this years theme (Revived by the word). Truly we have to understand there is no hope for those who die in their sins. Thats why it is written, the wages of sin is death. But my hope is on the last section which says, "but the free gift from God is eternal life through Jesus Christ". So let us not be obsessed with wages lets take the gift which is eternity. God is not pleased with death of a sinner, because there is no hope for them at the day of resurrection. God loves us He doesn't want us to die in ignorance. But He can't make the choices for us.
Well said, Viyano. 🙂
Romans 6:5 "if we have been united wth him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his ressurrection". This very is powerful and it gives us the assurance that there is a second and evalasting life for us to come .
I like the lesson because many people have gone out cheating that when one dies he goes to heaven. I have a twist on that matter that how can that happen when Jesus Christ promised that He will come and make every dead person come back to life? How can they resurrect if they are already in heaven?
thank you so much
The second coming of Chirst how he died first so they shall rise; it's very powerful scipture. The following of word of the lord is the best.!!!!