Bible Discussion Thread

I am leaning about Rapture these last two Sundays during Christians Education. Today we read 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13 And question was what does the word asleep mean. I responsed by saying. Someone being in Sin without no hope. Answer was asleep means died already of the body and We will be caught up on the cloud. So confused. I know the word I was stumped when ask. Any help about Rapture, Coming of the !odd and End of the age. So I can have a clear understanding. Dakes Bible used.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15, the word "sleep" is a euphemism for 'died'; because that's how God sees the dead - just temporarily asleep waiting for the resurrection, whether to be with God or going to hell. When Jesus comes for His Church, both the living & dead Christians will rise to meet him, but the dead will rise first. The Apostle Paul was encouraging the Thessalonian Church about this matter, since many were believing (& were in distress) that those Christians who had already died & were buried would miss out being received by Jesus coming for His Church. You can also read from 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, where Paul gave a similar instruction to the Corinthians. So his instruction was a comfort to them that when Jesus comes, all who believe in Him, will be raised up to meet Him & be with Him forever. None shall miss out - only those who have rejected Christ or those who may be good Church-going people but who have never been born again by God's Spirit will be left behind.

So, it's so important that people hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that He gave His Life for our sins so that by putting our faith in Him, God can forgive us & accept us as His children into Heaven. Without Jesus, there's no hope to get right with God - man has tried over the ages to find that peace with God & has trusted in religion or his philosophies to get him there. But the only way is through Jesus, the Son of God, who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." ( John 14:6). So if we come to God through Jesus, then one day, maybe soon, He will come for us to bring us to God. And by the way, that's a nice useful Bible you're using - spend much time reading it & asking God to help you understand it and live it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. My spirit has really been enlightened. I read the response at least three times and I feel really great at this point with a clear understanding of the word , "asleep" .I will continue of my reading and my walk with Jesus Christ and have confidence to answers questions in my Christian Education class. Thanks again very much God Bless you.