1 Thessalonians 4:17

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then, we who [will still] be alive, that are left, will be caught up together with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so [from then on] we will always be with the Lord.

Cross References

Matthew 26:64

Jesus replied to him, “You have said so; nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

Mark 14:62

And Jesus answered, “Yes, I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God, Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

John 12:26

If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 14:3

And if I go to prepare a place for each of you, I will return to take all you to [be with] me, so that you also will be where I am.

John 17:24

“Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.

Acts 1:9

And when Jesus had said these things, just as the apostles were watching [Him], He was taken up by a cloud [and disappeared] out of their sight.

Acts 8:39

And when they came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit of the Lord [supernaturally (?)] directed Philip to go elsewhere and the eunuch did not see him anymore, as he continued on his journey rejoicing.

1 Corinthians 15:52

in a split second, as quickly as the twinkle of an eye, when the last trumpet blows. For the trumpet will blow and dead people [i.e., believers] will be raised up, never to decay again, and [the living] will be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually].

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are encouraged, I say, and would rather be away from our body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23

So, I am in a dilemma between the two choices. [On the one hand] I have the desire to depart [from this life] and be with Christ [in heaven], which would be far better.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

May the Lord strengthen your hearts so you will be [found] without just blame and holy, in the presence of our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all of His holy ones [i.e., angels. See Mark 8:38; II Thess. 1:7].

1 Thessalonians 4:15

For we say this to you by [the authority of] the word of the Lord [Note: Paul was either quoting what Jesus had previously said, or was giving a revelation he had received from the Lord. See I Cor. 14:37], that we [Christians] who are [still] alive, who are left [on earth] when the Lord returns, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [Note: The point Paul is making is that the living will not be “changed” (I Cor. 15:51-52) and taken to heaven before the dead are raised].

1 Thessalonians 4:18

So, encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:10

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep [i.e., alive or dead], we could live together with Him.

2 Peter 3:13

But, since God has promised it, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will prevail.

Revelation 1:7

Look, He [i.e., Jesus] is coming with [i.e., “on”] the clouds! And [then] every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him, and all the peoples of the earth will grieve because of Him [i.e., because of how they had treated Him]. So it will be. May it be so.

Revelation 11:12

Then the two witnesses/prophets heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” So, they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

Revelation 12:5

Then she gave birth to a baby boy, a son who will rule all the nations with an iron staff. And her child was snatched away to God and His throne.