mh_parser/vol_split/52 - 1Thessalonians/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="iTh.v" n="v" next="iTh.vi" prev="iTh.iv" progress="66.11%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="iTh.v-p0.1">F I R S T   T H E S S A L O N I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iTh.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iTh.v-p1">In this chapter the apostle gives earnest
exhortations to abound in holiness, with a caution against
uncleanness, enforced with several arguments, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.1-1Thess.4.8" parsed="|1Thess|4|1|4|8" passage="1Th 4:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. He then mentions the great duties
of brotherly love, and quietness with industry in our callings,
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.9-1Thess.4.12" parsed="|1Thess|4|9|4|12" passage="1Th 4:9-12">ver. 9-12</scripRef>. And concludes
with comforting those who mourned for their relations and friends
that died in the Lord, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.13-1Thess.4.18" parsed="|1Thess|4|13|4|18" passage="1Th 4:13-18">ver.
13-18</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iTh.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4" parsed="|1Thess|4|0|0|0" passage="1Th 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iTh.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.1-1Thess.4.8" parsed="|1Thess|4|1|4|8" passage="1Th 4:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.4.1-1Thess.4.8">
<h4 id="iTh.v-p1.6">Exhortations to Holiness; Caution against
Impurity. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.v-p1.7">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.v-p2">1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and
exhort <i>you</i> by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us
how ye ought to walk and to please God, <i>so</i> ye would abound
more and more.   2 For ye know what commandments we gave you
by the Lord Jesus.   3 For this is the will of God,
<i>even</i> your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication:   4 That every one of you should know how to
possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;   5 Not in
the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
  6 That no <i>man</i> go beyond and defraud his brother in
<i>any</i> matter: because that the Lord <i>is</i> the avenger of
all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.   7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
  8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God,
who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p3">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p4">I. An exhortation to abound in holiness, to
<i>abound more and more</i> in that which is good, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.1-1Thess.4.2" parsed="|1Thess|4|1|4|2" passage="1Th 4:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. We may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p5">1. The manner in which the exhortation is
given—very affectionately. The apostle entreats them as brethren;
he calls them so, and loved them as such. Because his love to them
was very great, he exhorts them very earnestly: <i>We beseech and
exhort you.</i> The apostle was unwilling to take any denial, and
therefore repeats his exhortation again and again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p6">2. The matter of his exhortation—that they
would abound more and more in holy walking, or excel in those
things that are good, in good works. Their faith was justly famed
abroad, and they were already examples to other churches: yet the
apostle would have them yet further to excel others, and to make
further progress in holiness. Note, (1.) Those who most excel
others fall short of perfection. The very best of us should
<i>forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those
things which are before.</i> (2.) It is not enough that we abide in
the faith of the gospel, but we must abound in the work of faith.
We must not only persevere to the end, but we should grow better,
and walk more evenly and closely with God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p7">3. The arguments with which the apostle
enforces his exhortation. (1.) They had been informed of their
duty. They knew their Master's will, and could not plead ignorance
as an excuse. Now as faith, so knowledge, is dead without practice.
They had received of those who had converted them to Christianity,
or been taught of them, <i>how they ought to walk.</i> Observe, The
design of the gospel is to teach men not only what they should
believe, but also how they ought to live; not so much to fill men's
minds with notions as to regulate their temper and behaviour. The
apostle taught them how to walk, not how to talk. To talk well
without living well will never bring us to heaven: for the
character of those who are in Christ Jesus is this: <i>They walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.</i> (2.) Another
argument is that the apostle taught and exhorted them in the name,
or by the authority, of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was Christ's
minister and ambassador, declaring to them what was the will and
command of the Lord Jesus. (3.) Another argument is this. Herein
they would please God. Holy walking is most pleasing to the holy
God, <i>who is glorious in holiness.</i> This ought to be the aim
and ambition of every Christian, to please God and to be accepted
of him. We should not be men-pleasers, nor flesh-pleasers, but
should walk so as to please God. (4.) The rule according to which
they ought to walk and act—<i>the commandments they had given them
by the Lord Jesus Christ,</i> which were the commandments of the
Lord Jesus Christ himself, because given by authority and direction
from him and such as were agreeable to his will. The apostles of
our Lord Jesus Christ were only commissioned by him to teach men to
observe all things <i>whatsoever he had commanded them,</i>
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|20|0|0" passage="Mt 28:20">Matt. xxviii. 20</scripRef>. Though
they had great authority from Christ, yet that was to teach men
what Christ had commanded, not to give forth commandments of their
own. They did not act as lords over God's heritage (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.5.3" parsed="|1Pet|5|3|0|0" passage="1Pe 5:3">1 Pet. v. 3</scripRef>), nor should any do so
that pretend to be their successors. The apostle could appeal to
the Thessalonians, who knew what commandments he gave them, that
they were no other than what he had received from the Lord
Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p8">II. A caution against uncleanness, this
being a sin directly contrary to sanctification, or that holy
walking to which he so earnestly exhorts them. This caution is
expressed, and also enforced by many arguments,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p9">1. It is expressed in these words: <i>That
you should abstain from fornication</i> (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.3" parsed="|1Thess|4|3|0|0" passage="1Th 4:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), by which we are to understand
all uncleanness whatsoever, either in a married or unmarried state.
Adultery is of course included, though fornication is particularly
mentioned. And other sorts of uncleanness are also forbidden, of
which it is a shame even to speak, though they are done by too many
in secret. All that is contrary to chastity in heart, speech, and
behaviour, is contrary to the command of God in the decalogue, and
contrary to that holiness which the gospel requires.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p10">2. There are several arguments to enforce
this caution. As, (1.) This branch of sanctification in particular
is the will of God, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.3" parsed="|1Thess|4|3|0|0" passage="1Th 4:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. It is the will of God in general that we should be
holy, because <i>he that called us is holy,</i> and because we are
<i>chosen unto salvation through the sanctification of the
Spirit;</i> and not only does God require holiness in the heart,
but also purity in our bodies, and that we should cleanse ourselves
from all <i>filthiness both of flesh and spirit,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.1" parsed="|2Cor|7|1|0|0" passage="2Co 7:1">2 Cor. vii. 1</scripRef>. Whenever the body is,
as it ought to be, devoted to God, and dedicated and set apart for
him, it should be kept clean and pure for his service; and, as
chastity is one branch of our sanctification, so this is one thing
which God commands in his law, and what his grace effects in all
true believers. (2.) This will be greatly for our honour: so much
is plainly implied, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.4" parsed="|1Thess|4|4|0|0" passage="1Th 4:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. Whereas the contrary will be a great dishonour.
<i>And his reproach shall not be wiped away,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.6.33" parsed="|Prov|6|33|0|0" passage="Pr 6:33">Prov. vi. 33</scripRef>. The body is here called the
vessel of the soul, which dwells therein (so <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.21.5" parsed="|1Sam|21|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 21:5">1 Sam. xxi. 5</scripRef>), and it must be kept pure from
defiling lusts. Every one should be careful in this matter, as he
values his own honour and will not be contemptible on this account,
that his inferior appetites and passions gain not the ascendant,
tyrannizing over his reason and conscience, and enslaving the
superior faculties of his soul. What can be more dishonourable than
for a rational soul to be enslaved by bodily affections and brutal
appetites? (3.) To indulge the lust of concupiscence is to live and
act like heathens? <i>Even as the Gentiles who know not God,</i>
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.5" parsed="|1Thess|4|5|0|0" passage="1Th 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The Gentiles,
and especially the Grecians, were commonly guilty of some sins of
uncleanness which were not so evidently forbidden by the light of
nature. But they did not know God, nor his mind and will, so well
as Christians know, and should know, this his will, namely <i>our
sanctification</i> in this branch of it. It is not so much to be
wondered at, therefore, if the Gentiles indulge their fleshly
appetites and lusts; but Christians should not walk as unconverted
Gentiles, <i>in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings,</i> &amp;c. (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.3" parsed="|1Pet|4|3|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:3">1 Pet. iv.
3</scripRef>), because those who are in Christ <i>have crucified
the flesh with its affections and lusts.</i> (4.) The sin of
uncleanness, especially adultery, is a great piece of injustice
that God will be the avenger of; so we may understand those words,
<i>That no man go beyond or defraud his brother</i> (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.6" parsed="|1Thess|4|6|0|0" passage="1Th 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), <i>in any
matter</i>—<b><i>en to pragmati,</i></b> in <i>this</i> matter of
which the apostle is speaking in the preceding and following
verses, namely, the sin of uncleanness. Some understand these words
as a further warning and caution against injustice and oppression,
all fraud and deceit in our dealings with men, which are certainly
criminal, and contrary to the gospel. And Christians should not
impose upon the ignorance and necessity of those they deal with,
and so go beyond them, nor should they by equivocations or lying
arts defraud them; and although this may be practised by some and
lie long undiscovered, and so go unpunished among men, yet the
righteous God will render a recompence. But the meaning may rather
be to show the injustice and wrong that in many cases are done by
the sin of uncleanness. Not only are fornication and other acts of
uncleanness sins against his own body who commits them (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.6.18" parsed="|1Cor|6|18|0|0" passage="1Co 6:18">1 Cor. vi. 18</scripRef>), not only are they
very injurious to the sinner himself both in soul and body, but
sometimes they are very injurious, and no less than defrauding,
acts of injustice to others, particularly to those who are joined
together in the marriage covenant and to their posterity. And, as
this sin is of such a heinous nature, so it follows that God will
be the avenger of it. <i>Whoremongers and adulterers God will
judge,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.4" parsed="|Heb|13|4|0|0" passage="Heb 13:4">Heb. xiii. 4</scripRef>.
This the apostle had forewarned and testified by his gospel, which,
as it contained exceedingly great and precious promises, so also it
<i>revealed from heaven the wrath of God against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness among men,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.18" parsed="|Rom|1|18|0|0" passage="Ro 1:18">Rom.
i. 18</scripRef>. (5.) The sin of uncleanness is contrary to the
nature and design of our Christian calling: <i>For God hath called
us not unto uncleanness, but unto holiness,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.7" parsed="|1Thess|4|7|0|0" passage="1Th 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. The law of God forbids all
impurity, and the gospel requires the greatest purity; it calls us
from uncleanness unto holiness. (6.) The contempt therefore of
God's law and gospel is the contempt of God himself: <i>He that
despises despises God, not man</i> only. Some might possibly make
light of the precepts of purity and holiness, because they heard
them from men like themselves; but the apostle lets them know that
they were God's commands, and to violate them was no less than to
despise God. He adds, <i>God hath given Christians his Spirit,</i>
intimating that all sorts of uncleanness do in an especial manner
grieve the Holy Spirit, and will provoke him to withdraw from us;
and also the Holy Spirit is given unto us to arm us against these
sins, and to help us to mortify these deeds of the body, that we
may live, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p10.13" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.13" parsed="|Rom|8|13|0|0" passage="Ro 8:13">Rom. viii. 13</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iTh.v-p10.14" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.9-1Thess.4.12" parsed="|1Thess|4|9|4|12" passage="1Th 4:9-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.4.9-1Thess.4.12">
<h4 id="iTh.v-p10.15">Brotherly Love. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.v-p10.16">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.v-p11">9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not
that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love
one another.   10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren
which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye
increase more and more;   11 And that ye study to be quiet,
and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you;   12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that
are without, and <i>that</i> ye may have lack of nothing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p12">In these words the apostle mentions the
great duties,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p13">I. Of brotherly love. This he exhorts them
to increase in yet more and more. The exhortation is introduced,
not with a compliment, but with a commendation, because they were
remarkable in the exercise of it, which made it less needful that
he should write to them about it, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.9" parsed="|1Thess|4|9|0|0" passage="1Th 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Thus by his good opinion of them
he insinuated himself into their affections, and so made way for
his exhortation to them. Note, We should take notice of that in
others which is good, to their praise, that by so doing we may lay
engagements upon them to abound therein more and more. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p14">1. What it is that the apostle commends in
them. It was not so much their own virtue as God's grace; yet he
takes notice of the evidence they gave of the grace of God in them.
(1.) It was God's grace that he took special notice of: that God
had taught them this good lesson: <i>You yourselves are taught of
God to love one another,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.9" parsed="|1Thess|4|9|0|0" passage="1Th 4:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. Whoever does that which is good is taught of God to
do it, and God must have the glory. All who are savingly taught of
God are taught this lesson, to love one another. This is the livery
of Christ's family. Note also, The teaching of the Spirit exceeds
the teaching of men; and, as no man should teach contrary to what
God teaches, so none can teach so effectually as he teaches; and
men's teaching is fain and useless unless God teach also. (2.) The
Thessalonians gave good evidence of their being taught of God by
<i>their love to the brethren in all Macedonia,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.10" parsed="|1Thess|4|10|0|0" passage="1Th 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. They not only loved
those of their own city and society, or such as were near them and
just of their own sentiments, but their love was extensive. And a
true Christian's is so to all the saints, though distant from him
in place, and differing from him in some opinions or practices of
less moment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p15">2. The exhortation itself is to increase
more and more in this great grace and duty of brotherly love,
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.10" parsed="|1Thess|4|10|0|0" passage="1Th 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Though these
Thessalonians had in some sense no need of an exhortation to
brotherly love, as if it were wholly wanting, yet they must be
exhorted to pray for more, and labour for more. There are none on
this side heaven who love in perfection. Those who are eminent in
this or any other grace have need of increase therein as well as of
perseverance unto the end.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p16">II. Of quietness and industry in their
callings. Observe, 1. The apostle exhorts to these duties: that
they should <i>study to be quiet,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.11" parsed="|1Thess|4|11|0|0" passage="1Th 4:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. It is the most desirable thing
to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet
behaviour. This tends much to our own and others' happiness; and
Christians should study how to be quiet. We should be ambitious and
industrious how to be calm and quiet in our minds, in patience to
possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards others; or of a meek
and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not given to strife,
contention, or division. Satan is very busy to disquiet us; and we
have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be disquiet;
therefore let us study to be quiet. It follows, <i>Do your own
business.</i> When we go beyond this, we expose ourselves to a
great deal of inquietude. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in
other men's matters, generally have but little quiet in their own
minds and cause great disturbances among their neighbours; at least
they seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own
calling, <i>to work with their own hands;</i> and yet this was what
the apostle commanded them, and what is required of us also.
Christianity does not discharge us from the work and duty of our
particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. 2. The
exhortation is enforced with a double argument; namely, (1.) So we
shall live creditably. Thus we shall walk honestly, or decently and
creditably, towards those that are without, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.12" parsed="|1Thess|4|12|0|0" passage="1Th 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. This will be to act as becomes
the gospel, and will gain a good report from those that are
strangers, yea, enemies to it. Note, It is a great ornament to
religion when the professors of it are of meek and quiet spirits,
diligent to do their own business, and not busy-bodies in other
men's matters. (2.) We shall live comfortably, and have lack of
nothing, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.12" parsed="|1Thess|4|12|0|0" passage="1Th 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
People often by their slothfulness bring themselves into narrow
circumstances, and reduce themselves to great straits, and are
liable to many wants, when such as are diligent in their own
business live comfortably and have lack of nothing. They are not
burdensome to their friends, nor scandalous to strangers. They earn
their own bread, and have the greatest pleasure in so doing.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iTh.v-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.13-1Thess.4.18" parsed="|1Thess|4|13|4|18" passage="1Th 4:13-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.4.13-1Thess.4.18">
<h4 id="iTh.v-p16.5">State of Departed Saints. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.v-p16.6">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.v-p17">13 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.   14 For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with him.   15 For this we say unto you by the
word of the Lord, that we which are alive <i>and</i> remain unto
the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
  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:   17 Then we which
are alive <i>and</i> 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.   18 Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p18">In these words the apostle comforts the
Thessalonians who mourned for the death of their relations and
friends that died in the Lord. His design is to dissuade them from
excessive grief, or inordinate sorrow, on that account. <i>All
grief</i> for the death of friends is far from being unlawful; we
may weep at least for ourselves if we do not weep for them, weep
for own loss, though it may be their fain. Yet we must not be
immoderate in our sorrows, because,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p19">I. This looks as if we had no hope,
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.13" parsed="|1Thess|4|13|0|0" passage="1Th 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. It is to act
too much like the Gentiles, who had no hope of a better life after
this; whereas we Christians, who have a most sure hope, the hope of
eternal life after this, <i>which God who cannot lie hath promised
us,</i> should moderate all our joys and our sorrows on account of
any worldly thing. This hope is more than enough to balance all our
griefs upon account of any of the crosses of the present time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p20">II. This is an effect of ignorance
concerning those who are dead, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.13" parsed="|1Thess|4|13|0|0" passage="1Th 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. There are some things which we
cannot be ignorant of concerning those that are asleep; for the
land they are removed to is a land of darkness, which we know but
little of and have no correspondence with. To go among the dead is
to go among we know not whom, and to live we know not how. Death is
an unknown thing, and the state of the dead, or the state after
death, we are much in the dark about; yet there are some things
concerning those especially who die in the Lord that we need not,
and ought not, to be ignorant of; and, if these things be really
understood and duly considered, they will be sufficient to allay
our sorrow concerning them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p21">1. They sleep in Jesus. They are asleep,
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.13" parsed="|1Thess|4|13|0|0" passage="1Th 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. They have
<i>fallen asleep in Christ,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.18" parsed="|1Cor|15|18|0|0" passage="1Co 15:18">1
Cor. xv. 18</scripRef>. Death does not annihilate them. It is but a
sleep to them. It is their rest, and undisturbed rest. They have
retired out of this troublesome world, to rest from all their
labours and sorrows, and they sleep in Jesus, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.14" parsed="|1Thess|4|14|0|0" passage="1Th 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Being still in union with him,
they sleep in his arms and are under his special care and
protection. Their souls are in his presence, and their dust is
under his care and power; so that they are not lost, nor are they
losers, but great gainers by death, and their removal out of this
world is into a better.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p22">2. They shall be raised up from the dead,
and awakened out of their sleep, for <i>God will bring them with
him,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.14" parsed="|1Thess|4|14|0|0" passage="1Th 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. They
then are with God, and are better where they are than when they
were here; and when God comes he will bring them with him. The
doctrine of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ is a
great antidote against the fear of death and inordinate sorrow for
the death of our Christian friends; and this doctrine we have a
full assurance of, because we <i>believe that Jesus died and rose
again,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.14" parsed="|1Thess|4|14|0|0" passage="1Th 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. It
is taken for granted that as Christians they knew and believed
this. The death and resurrection of Christ are fundamental articles
of the Christian religion, and give us hope of a joyful
resurrection; for <i>Christ, having risen from the dead, has become
the first fruits of those that slept;</i> and therefore <i>those
who have fallen asleep in him have not perished nor are lost,</i>
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.18 Bible:1Cor.15.20" parsed="|1Cor|15|18|0|0;|1Cor|15|20|0|0" passage="1Co 15:18,20">1 Cor. xv. 18, 20</scripRef>. His
resurrection is a full confirmation of all that is said in the
gospel, or by the word of the Lord, which has <i>brought life and
immortality to light.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.v-p23">3. Their state and condition shall be
glorious and happy at the second coming of Christ. This the apostle
informs the Thessalonians of <i>by the word of the Lord</i>
(<scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.15" parsed="|1Thess|4|15|0|0" passage="1Th 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), by divine
revelation from the Lord Jesus; for though the resurrection of the
dead, and a future state of blessedness, were part of the creed of
the Old-Testament saints, yet they are much more clearly revealed
in and by the gospel. By this word of the Lord we know, (1.) That
the Lord Jesus will come down from heaven in all the pomp and power
of the upper world (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.16" parsed="|1Thess|4|16|0|0" passage="1Th 4:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>): <i>The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout.</i> He ascended into heaven after his resurrection, and
passed through these material heavens into the third heaven, which
must retain him till the restitution of all things; and then he
will come again, and appear in his glory. He will descend from
heaven into this our air, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.17" parsed="|1Thess|4|17|0|0" passage="1Th 4:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. The appearance will be with pomp and power, <i>with
a shout</i>—the shout of a king, and the power and authority of a
mighty king and conqueror, with <i>the voice of the archangel;</i>
an innumerable company of angels will attend him. Perhaps
<i>one,</i> as general of those hosts of the Lord, will give notice
of his approach, and the glorious appearance of this great Redeemer
and Judge will be proclaimed and ushered in by the <i>trump of God.
For the trumpet shall sound,</i> and this will awaken those that
sleep in the dust of the earth, and will summon all the world to
appear. For, (2.) The dead shall be raised: <i>The dead in Christ
shall rise first</i> (<scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.16" parsed="|1Thess|4|16|0|0" passage="1Th 4:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), before those who are <i>found alive at Christ's
coming shall be changed;</i> and so it appears that those who shall
then <i>be found alive shall not prevent those that are asleep,</i>
<scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.15" parsed="|1Thess|4|15|0|0" passage="1Th 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. The first
care of the Redeemer in that day will be about his dead saints; he
will raise them before the great change passes on those that shall
be found alive: so that those who did not sleep in death will have
no greater privilege or joy at that day than those who fell asleep
in Jesus. (3.) Those that shall be found alive will then be
changed. They shall <i>be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.17" parsed="|1Thess|4|17|0|0" passage="1Th 4:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. At, or immediately before, this
rapture into the clouds, those who are alive will undergo a mighty
change, which will be equivalent to dying. This change is so
mysterious that we cannot comprehend it: we know little or nothing
of it, <scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.7" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.51" parsed="|1Cor|15|51|0|0" passage="1Co 15:51">1 Cor. xv. 51</scripRef>.
Only, in the general, <i>this mortal must put on immortality,</i>
and these bodies will be made fit to inherit the kingdom of God,
which flesh and blood in its present state are not capable of. This
change will be <i>in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye</i>
(<scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.8" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.52" parsed="|1Cor|15|52|0|0" passage="1Co 15:52">1 Cor. xv. 52</scripRef>), in the
very instant, or not long after the raising up of those that sleep
in Jesus. And those who are raised, and thus changed, shall meet
together in the clouds, and there meet with their Lord, to
congratulate him on his coming, to receive the crown of glory he
will then bestow upon them, and to be assessors with him in
judgment, approving and applauding the sentence he will then pass
upon the prince of the power of the air, and all the wicked, who
shall be doomed to destruction with the devil and his angels. (4.)
Here is the bliss of the saints at that day: they shall <i>be ever
with the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.9" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.17" parsed="|1Thess|4|17|0|0" passage="1Th 4:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. It will be some part of their felicity that all the
saints shall meet together, and remain together for ever; but the
principal happiness of heaven is this, <i>to be with the Lord,</i>
to see him, live with him, and enjoy him, for ever. This should
comfort the saints upon the death of their friends, that, although
death has made a separation, yet their souls and bodies will meet
again; we and they shall meet together again: we and they shall
meet together again: we and they with all the saints shall meet our
Lord, and be with him for ever, no more to be separated wither from
him or from one another for ever. And the apostle would have us
<i>comfort one another with these words,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.v-p23.10" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.4.18" parsed="|1Thess|4|18|0|0" passage="1Th 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. We should endeavour to support
one another in times of sorrow, not deaden one another's spirits,
nor weaken one another's hands, but should comfort one another; and
this may be done by serious consideration and discourse on the many
good lessons to be learned from the doctrine of the resurrection of
the dead, the second coming of Christ, and the glory of the saints
in that day.</p>
</div></div2>