¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

형제들아 자는 자들에 관하여는 너희가 알지 못함을 우리가 원치 아니하노니 이는 소망 없는 다른이와 같이 슬퍼하지 않게 하려 함이라

Paul’s short introduction to the doctrine of eschatology. Which he maybe missed out while he was teaching them in Thessalonica in person and in the mean time some members of the believers have died. We should know about what is to take place after we ‘fall asleep’ (a term used in expectation for subsequent ‘waking up’) and therefore not act, think, or feel in an unchristian way in relation to deaths of our loved ones or even of ourselves.[1]  

 ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

우리가 예수의 죽었다가 다시 사심을 믿을찐대 이와 같이 예수 안에서 자는 자들도 하나님이 저와 함께 데리고 오시리라

Jesus’ death and resurrection is a wonder in itself but more than that it is revelation of God’s intention toward us – it shows what will happen to us and that God indeed has the power to do so. Thus we call it a ‘pledge’ together with the coming of the Holy Sprit for our future and our belonging with God, living and full with him. This is true for those who have died before us too. So where are they now? – They are ‘in Jesus’. They are in conscious existence with Christ.[2] In Revelation imagery, ‘under the altar’ before God’s throne (Rev 6:9).    

¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

우리가 주의 말씀으로 너희에게 이것을 말하노니 주 강림하실 때까지 우리 살아 남아 있는 자도 자는 자보다 결단코 앞서지 못하리라

They will certainly return with Christ when he comes back. So no need to worry or excessively grieve over the asleep. We do not know the time of their coming back but it is certain. They are in good hand. Instead, in line with Jesus teaching (cf. Matt 24), those of us who are living now, are to live with that expectation for meeting the Master (and the asleep) again, with our present life reflecting that expectation.  

¹⁶ 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. 

주께서 호령과 천사장의 소리와 하나님의 나팔로 친히 하늘로 좇아 강림하시리니 그리스도 안에서 죽은 자들이 먼저 일어나고

A loud command, the trumpet call recall God’s coming down to Mount Sinai when the law was being given to Moses and the whole assembly of Israel witnessed it (Exo 19:18-19). An imagery of sure presence of God which will bring even those who were asleep in Christ on their feet to greet him!

¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. 

그 후에 우리 살아 남은 자도 저희와 함께 구름 속으로 끌어 올려 공중에서 주를 영접하게 하시리니 그리하여 우리가 항상 주와 함께 있으리라

‘Being caught up in the cloud’ and ‘meeting him in the air’ do not have the emphasis in ‘in the cloud’ or ‘in the air’ (which are actually symbolic phrases for God’s presence) but in meeting him – in his final and definite coming and that we come to meet him face to face at last. Then our ‘being with him always’ finally takes place – the perfect rest and Sabbath.   

¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

그러므로 이 여러 말로 서로 위로하라

Is this a comfort for us? If not, maybe our understanding of faith is not so complete.

Lord, thank you for the whole, complete, perfect package of comfort you provide us. Although we are living and therefore busy with things of this world, and cannot fully appreciate the real treasure that is hidden in you, we vaguely wonder and marvel at the timid sight of it. Let us grow fully in knowing you and therefore in knowing our fate and destiny with you. It is the perfect hope we who believe in you are privileged to have. Let us live with the expectation of the perfect and true rest and Sabbath you provide for us. Let us live that eternity now not grieving or giving up hope. Blessed be our Lord, the Patient and Enduring Almighty Lord of all things.  

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[1] Blomberg, Craig L., and Darlene M. Seal. From Pentecost to Patmos, New Testament Introduction and Survey Volume 2,. London: APOLLOS, 2021.

[2] Blomberg , From Pentecost to Patmos