1 Thessalonians 4:16

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:

For {G3754} the Lord {G2962} himself {G846} shall descend {G2597} from {G575} heaven {G3772} with {G1722} a shout {G2752}, with {G1722} the voice {G5456} of the archangel {G743}, and {G2532} with {G1722} the trump {G4536} of God {G2316}: and {G2532} the dead {G3498} in {G1722} Christ {G5547} shall rise {G450} first {G4412}:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise;

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

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 (KJV)

This verse is part of a passage (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) where the Apostle Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers' concern about what happens to Christians who die before Christ returns. Paul assures them they have not missed out on future glory but will be resurrected and participate fully in Christ's return. The context is one of comfort and hope regarding the future resurrection and the Lord's coming.

Key Themes and Messages:

  • The Personal Return of Christ: The phrase "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven" emphasizes that Jesus' second coming will be a personal, visible return, not merely a spiritual or symbolic one.
  • Divine Authority and Power: The accompanying sounds ("shout," "voice of the archangel," "trump of God") signify the immense authority, power, and public nature of this event. These are sounds associated with divine command, military assembly, and royal arrival.
  • The Resurrection of Believers: The primary point of comfort is that "the dead in Christ shall rise first." This guarantees that believers who have died will be resurrected before living believers are caught up to meet the Lord.

Linguistic Insights:

The Greek word for "shout" is keleusma, which can refer to a command, a call to action, or a signal, often used in a military or nautical context (like a boatswain's call). The "voice of the archangel" (archangelos) and the "trump of God" (salpigx theou) further amplify the sense of a powerful, authoritative, and divinely orchestrated event.

Cross-References:

Practical Application:

This verse provides profound hope for believers. It assures us that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. We can face the death of loved ones, and our own mortality, with the certain hope of future resurrection and reunion with the Lord and with one another. It calls us to live in light of Christ's promised return and the glorious future awaiting believers.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:51

    ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  • Revelation 1:7

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

  • Matthew 24:30

    And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

  • Matthew 24:31

    And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:23

    But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

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