Caught up in the air The Return Kile Baker June 1st, 2025 Theme Verse: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Three Big Ideas The resurrection of the dead The rapture of People The return of Christ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. Key Theological Terms Resurrection: Those who are dead are raised to life. Transformation: Christ-followers who are alive are changed. Rapture: God snatches dead and living Christ-followers from the earth into heaven. Tribulation: A period of great suffering and judgment. (Mt 24:15-19; Rev 7:14) Dispensationalism: A system that divides history into eras. Millennialism: A 1,000 year reign of Christ. (Rev 20:1-6) Theological importance The Dispensationalist view of the return of Christ Millenium = future, literal 1,000 year reign of Christ Tribulation = future 7-year global crisis (Dan 9:24-26) Christ’s reign = begins after rapture or tribulation Satan’s defeat = After tribulation Second coming = one of two returns Alternate view of the return of Christ Millenium = symbolic; happening now Tribulation = ongoing suffering of the church Christ’s reign = began with His resurrection Satan’s defeat = restrained now, destroyed later Second coming = single, climactic return Political & Historical importance A Dispensationalist view of Israel & the Church Israel vs. the Church = separate peoples with separate destinies Role of land = everlasting, literal inheritance Modern Israel = fulfillment of prophecy, central to end-times Jerusalem = Future capital of Christ’s millennial kingdom Politics = Christians should support & protect Israel Tribulation = Israel suffers & is purified. Church escapes suffering via rapture A alternate view of Israel & the Church Israel vs. the Church = One unified people of God in Christ (Rom 11:17-24) Role of land = Promise fulfilled in Christ and expanded to all creation Modern Israel = Significant politically, not theologically central Jerusalem = Symbolic of God’s presence, fulfilled in Christ & the Church Politics = justice & peace for all nations Tribulation = Israel & church suffer until renewal 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. The resurrection of the dead reminds us to expect a reunion with those who know and love Christ, and to evangelize to those who don’t. The rapture of God’s people isn’t to escape the earth we couldn’t repair, it’s to escort God to the earth we helped prepare. The return of Christ will bring the reign of God and all that is good, and the end of evil and all that is bad. Next Week: Please come back to church Next Week: Escaping the Darkness