The Trump of God

THE TRUMPET OF GOD-WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN

One of the most misunderstood passages in the New Testament is 1 Thessalonians 4.

This is absolutely necessary to understand:

Many Christians have been taught to read themselves directly into the words “we which are alive and remain,” as though Paul were describing Christians living thousands of years later.

This is a severe case of Eisegesis.

The “we” in this verse is not “us” today.

But first we need to hear Paul as the Thessalonians heard him.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

For if “we” believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

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:

Then WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

The first thing to notice is why Paul wrote this.

During that time, some believers in Thessalonica had died, and those who remained alive were grieving concerning their loved one. Their concern seems to have been that their departed brothers and sisters would somehow miss the coming fulfillment.

Paul tells them: No.

Those who had “fallen asleep” were believers who had physically died. “Sleep” was a common biblical way of speaking about death. Paul was not saying they had ceased to exist. In fact, he says that those who “sleep in Jesus” God would “bring with him.”

The dead in Christ were not forgotten.

Then Paul turns directly to the living believers and says something that deserves much more attention:

WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN

Paul says it twice which is very significant to take note.

He did not say, “Those Christians who happen to be alive thousands of years from now.”

This has been taken out of context for many years.

He said: “WE.”

Paul was writing to real people living in the first century, and he included himself among those who could still be alive at that time when the promised coming occurred.

That fits exactly with Jesus saying:

“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

Matthew 24:34

And, please catch this:

“There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 16:28

“Still standing here” is the same meaning as “alive and remain.”

Paul’s words were therefore words of expectation and comfort to THEM.

Now what about the trumpet?

This is definitely prophetic language used many places in the Old Testament.

Again, The “trump of God” was already familiar prophetic imagery.

At Sinai the trumpet sounded when God manifested His presence.

The prophets used the trumpet to announce the Day of the Lord and approaching judgment.

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain…for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”

Joel 2:1 says

Jesus referring to wording the were absolutely familiar with.

…then spoke of His coming with “a great sound of a trumpet” and the gathering of His elect in Matthew 24:31

So when Paul speaks of “the trump of God,” he is using language his Bible had already established: the presence of God, judgment, gathering, and covenantal fulfillment.

But what about being “caught up…in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”?

This is where many immediately picture Christians physically floating into the atmosphere.

But Paul himself used “caught up” language for a spiritual experience.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke of a man being “caught up to the third heaven” and “caught up into paradise.” He even said he did not know whether it happened “in the body” or “out of the body.”

So the expression itself does not require a physical flight through the sky as many have believed through teachings that became popular during the 1800’s.

Think about this:

Likewise, “cloud” language throughout Scripture is repeatedly associated with the divine presence and the coming of God in judgment and glory.

…and the coming of God and Judgment.

The point of 1 Thessalonians 4 is not that Paul was teaching the Thessalonians how human bodies would someday fly through the atmosphere.

The point was reunion. Those believers who had died would not miss the fulfillment.

Those believers who were still alive would not have an advantage over them. This is extremely controversial.

The dead in Christ would be raised. Not physically, but delivered from sleep in the grave where they entered into the heavenly presence of Christ. The living would also be caught up, transformed and gathered with them into the consummated reality and presence of the Lord.

This may be difficult to grasp. I personally believe that most have to progress to this understanding as I did. It is difficult to see and understand this view when we’ve been indoctrinated through early dispensation teachings.

And Paul’s conclusion tells us exactly why he wrote it:

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

This was comfort for first-century believers wondering what would happen to their deceased brothers and sisters as the coming of the Lord approached.

And like your Bible reads it happened in their day. They were not forgotten. They had not missed the promise.

And those who were still living could say with Paul:

WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN

And again, that “we” matters.

This is so important. Before we automatically place ourselves into the passage, we should first allow Paul to speak to the people to whom he actually wrote.

We are now “caught up” to enjoy His presence as we thrive and reign in His kingdom.