The Return of Jesus & the Resurrection of the Dead

[전승훈2]

Summary:
Paul does not want the Thessalonian believers to be uninformed about those who have died, so that they will not grieve like others who have no hope. Since believers hold that Jesus died and rose again, they can also be confident that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

Paul explains that, according to the word of the Lord, believers who are alive at the Lord’s coming will not precede those who have died. When the Lord Himself descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

From that moment onward, all believers will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, Paul instructs them to encourage and comfort one another with these words.


Teaching:
Death is not an eternal end but a temporary waiting period before a glorious resurrection. It is not a permanent separation, but a brief parting before the day when we will meet again and live together forever. Knowing this truth, we can stand before death with courage and confidence.

If our faith in the resurrection of Jesus is uncertain, then our own resurrection is also uncertain. To doubt our resurrection is ultimately to reject the resurrection of Jesus, and without His resurrection, we have no assurance of our own. Therefore, we must keep this truth firmly in mind and stand steadfast on our faith in the risen Christ.

The comfort the world offers is only temporary, but the hope of resurrection gives us strength to endure throughout our entire lives. The final chapter of our story is not death, but resurrection.

Excerpt from the sermon by Deacon 김상호, Jul 16, 2026
Thessalonians 5:1-11