When Jesus died he changed the dynamics of human earthly existence and human eternal existence. Not only do those who believe that Jesus died and rose up become sons of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Heavenly Father, we have an atonement for our sins so that we are redeemable and ready to be released by ransom. Jesus was our ransom. A mystery regarding Jesus’ death and resurrection is that the nations are now joint heirs and joint participants in the Body of Christ, and also have eternal life. There is more. Another aspect of this mystery is the harpazo, the coming of Jesus for his saints before the tribulation. If the devil would have known, he never would have crucified Jesus. We have studied the harpazo several times before; I believe there are 29 blogs posted regarding harpazo, but we will look at this subject again so that we will not be ignorant and have sorrow just like those who have no hope, as Paul states. To have hope is to have a joyful confident expectation. If we are grieved and sorrowful it is because we have become uninformed.
Paul does not want us to be ignorant. To not be ignorant we have to be educated. If we remember Colossians 1:9, Paul is praying for people to have an over abundant recognition of the desires of the Heavenly Father in broad intelligence and divine intellect. Paul is praying for people to be spiritually smart in all things concerning the Father’s will. Paul prays for us to have broad and full intelligence and ethereal practical discernment, or to spiritually put things together in our mind. This is how we simply avoid being ignorant. In this particular instance Paul would like it if we were not ignorant about something specific concerning those who have died. He does not believe we should sorrow like other people who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 (KJV)
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.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 G3756 [2I do not G2309 3want G1161 1But] G1473 you G50 to be ignorant, G80 brethren, G4012 concerning G3588 the ones G2837 having gone to sleep,
50 LSJ Gloss:ἀγνοέω not to perceive
Dodson:ἀγνοέω I do not know, am ignorant of I do not know, am ignorant of (a person, thing, or fact), sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance.
Thayer:
1) to be ignorant, not to know
2) not to understand, unknown
3) to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong
ἀγνοέω
agnoeō ag-no-eh'-o From G1 (as a negative particle) and G3539; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication to ignore (through disinclination) KJV Usage: (be) ignorant (-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.
2837 LSJ Gloss:κοιμάω to lull
Dodson:κοιμάομαι I fall asleep, am asleep I fall asleep, am asleep, sometimes of the sleep of death.
Thayer:
1) to cause to sleep, put to sleep
2) metaph.
2a) to still, calm, quiet
2b) to fall asleep, to sleep
2c) to die
κοιμάω
koimaō koy-mah'-o From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease KJV Usage: (be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.
Paul does not want us to be wrong. He does not want us to not be able to perceive what has happened to people who have died. From the vantage point of a living person, the dead person looks like they are asleep. They are not actually sleeping because as Jesus told us there are two different places for dead humans and in both places the dead know that they are dead and in both places there is consciousness and conversation. In other words lets not be mistaken, willfully ignorant, or without understanding concerning those who have recently died. Here is the reason:
1 Thessalonians 4:13… G2443 that G3361 you do not G3076 fret G2531 as G2532 even G3588 the G3062 rest, G3588 the ones G3361 not G2192 having G1680 hope.
3076 LSJ Gloss:λυπέω to give pain to, to pain, distress, grieve, vex, annoy
Dodson:λυπέω I pain, grieve, vex.
Thayer:
1) to make sorrowful
2) to affect with sadness, cause grief, to throw into sorrow
3) to grieve, offend
4) to make one uneasy, cause him a scruple
λυπέω
lupeō loo-peh'-o From G3077; to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad KJV Usage: cause grief, grieve, be in heaviness, (be) sorrow (-ful), be (make) sorry.
3062 Dodson:λοιπός left, left behind, the remainder left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others.
Thayer:
1) remaining, the rest
1a) the rest of any number or class under consideration
1b) with a certain distinction and contrast, the rest, who are not of a specific class or number
1c) the rest of the things that remain
λοιποί
loipoi loy-poy' Masculine plural of a derivative of G3007; remaining ones KJV Usage: other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.
1680 LSJ Gloss:ἐλπίς hope, expectation
Dodson:ἐλπίς hope, expectation hope, expectation, trust, confidence.
Thayer:
1) expectation of evil, fear
2) expectation of good, hope
2a) in the Christian sense
2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
3) on hope, in hope, having hope
3a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation
3b) the thing hoped for
ἐλπίς
elpis el-pece' From ἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence KJV Usage: faith, hope.
We are not to be mis-informed regarding the dead and we don’t have to be sad and grieve like those left behind who don’t have hope. Paul makes a distinction here between two groups of people. The ones who are not ignorant have hope, and the ones left behind have no hope. Left behind from what?
In 139 verses, translators have overwhelmingly translated this word loipoi as “rest” with a few occurrences of “remaining”, generally meaning that there are other people who are left out of something or included in something. But there are some verses where this word should be translated “left behind”.
Matthew 25:11 G5305 And afterwards G1161 G2064 came G2532 also G3588 the G3062 remaining G3933 virgins, G3004 saying, G2962 O Master, G2962 O Master, G455 open G1473 to us!
The remaining virgins were left behind. They missed the bridegroom’s coming and are knocking on the door asking to come in, but it is too late. This is one of the parables that Jesus told his disciples after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and before his passover meal. The five virgins who ran out of oil were left behind, they did not enter the wedding banquet. If we want to enter the wedding banquet we have one thing to do. One thing that will cause us to either be received or left behind as we will soon see.
Ephesians 2:2 G1722 in G3739 which G4218 at one time G4043 you walked G2596 according to G3588 the G165 eon G3588 G2889 of this world, G3778 G2596 according to G3588 the G758 ruler G3588 of the G1849 authority G3588 of the G109 air, G3588 of the G4151 spirit G3588 of the one G3568 now G1754 operating G1722 in G3588 the G5207 sons G3588 G543 of disobedience;
3 G1722 among G3739 whom G2532 also G1473 we G3956 all G390 behaved G4218 at some time or other, G1722 in G3588 the G1939 desires G3588 G4561 of our flesh, G1473 G4160 doing G3588 the wants G2307 G3588 of the G4561 flesh G2532 and G3588 the G1271 thoughts; G2532 and G1510.7.4 we were G5043 children G5449 by nature G3709 of wrath, G5613 as G2532 even G3588 the G3062 rest.
Here the broader definition of “rest” gives us spiritual understanding and helps us put this together in our mind regarding the children of wrath being left behind. Once, we were all children of wrath, not children of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Father. At one time we lived under the the devil’s rule, and lived according to the desires of our flesh. The children of wrath are the left behind. Left behind from what?
As a wrap up to his first point, Paul says we should not katheudō, “slumber” like the left behind. Sometimes Paul bookends’ his subjects. This is the second bookend as verse 4:13 is the first book end to this subject.
I Thessalonians 5:6 G686 So G3767 then G3361 we should not G2518 be sleeping G5613 as G2532 also G3588 the G3062 rest; G235 but G1127 we should be vigilant G2532 and G3525 be sober.
Paul equates those who are spiritually insensible, who are indifferent to salvation, and are spiritually dead, as those people who are asleep. Those people who are asleep are going to be of the group who are left behind. Instead, we should be sober and vigilant and not like the rest.
Paul tells us what the children of wrath will be left behind from shortly, but first he gives us a qualifier, or a hinge. A “hinge” used as a verb is a movable joint, in this instance the word “if” is our hinge. If we believe or if we don’t believe.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 G1487 For if G1063 G4100 we believe G3754 that G* Jesus G599 died G2532 and G450 rose up,
4100 LSJ Gloss:πιστεύω to trust, trust to
Dodson:πιστεύω I believe, have faith in I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with.
Thayer:
1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
1a) of the thing believed
1a1) to credit, have confidence
1b) in a moral or religious reference
1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
2a) to be intrusted with a thing
πιστεύω
pisteuō pist-yoo'-o From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ) KJV Usage: believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
599 LSJ Gloss: ἀποθνήσκω to die off, die
Dodson:ἀποθνῄσκω I am dying, am about to die I am dying, am about to die, wither, decay.
Thayer:
1) to die
1a) of the natural death of man
1b) of the violent death of man or animals
1c) to perish by means of something
1d) of trees which dry up, of seeds which rot when planted
1e) of eternal death, to be subject to eternal misery in hell
ἀποθνήσκω
apothnēskō ap-oth-nace'-ko From G575 and G2348; to die off (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).
450 LSJ Gloss:ἀνίστημι to make to stand up, raise up
Dodson:ἀνίστημι I raise up, set up, rise from I raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear.
Thayer:
1) to cause to rise up, raise up
1a) raise up from laying down
1b) to raise up from the dead
1c) to raise up, cause to be born, to cause to appear, bring forward
2) to rise, stand up
2a) of persons lying down, of persons lying on the ground
2b) of persons seated
2c) of those who leave a place to go elsewhere
2c1) of those who prepare themselves for a journey
2d) of the dead
3) at arise, appear, stand forth
3a) of kings prophets, priests, leaders of insurgents
3b) of those about to enter into conversation or dispute with anyone, or to undertake some business, or attempt something against others
3c) to rise up against any one
ἀνίστημι
anistēmi an-is'-tay-mee From G303 and G2476; to stand up (literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively) KJV Usage: arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up (-right).
If you trust that Jesus died and rose up; if “a” then “b”. Paul is saying if you believe “a” then “b” is already determined to be the outcome. The determination as to whether one is left behind or not left behind is the individual’s trust that Jesus died a real and true death, and then literally and truly rose up from the dead. Those who believe, become children of the Most High Living God, and those who do not believe become children of wrath. The “if” is available to everyone and anyone, without predetermined destination, it is free choice given to all humanity. Notice Jesus’ words.
John 11:25-26 (KJV)
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Paul wasn’t there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but he understood this well. If we believe. If we believe. Do we believe?
1 Thessalonians 4:14… G3779 so G2532 also G3588 G2316 God G3588 [4the ones G2837 5having gone to sleep G1223 6through G3588 G* 7Jesus G71 1will bring G4862 2with G1473 3him].
71 LSJ Gloss:ἄγω to lead
Dodson:ἄγω I lead I lead, lead away, bring (a person, or animal), guide, spend a day, go.
Thayer:
1) to lead, take with one
1a) to lead by laying hold of, and this way to bring to the point of destination: of an animal
1b) to lead by accompanying to (into) a place
1c) to lead with one's self, attach to one's self as an attendant
1d) to conduct, bring
1e) to lead away, to a court of justice, magistrate, etc.
2) to lead,
2a) to lead, guide, direct
2b) to lead through, conduct to: to something
2c) to move, impel: of forces and influences on the mind
3) to pass a day, keep or celebrate a feast, etc.
4) to go, depart
ἄγω
agō ag'-o A primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce KJV Usage: be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.
4862 LSJ Gloss:σύν along with, in company with, together with
Dodson:σύν with.
Thayer:
1) with
σύν
sun soon A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc. KJV Usage: beside, with. In compounds it has similar applications, including completeness
Therefore if we trust that Jesus died and arose, then God will lead the dead who are in Jesus together with Jesus. Those who believed Jesus died and rose up, God will lead them to be united with Jesus. Now if we trust Jesus died and arose, when we die we will be united with Jesus. Jesus tells us that he has the keys to hades and death. No one enters hades or paradise without Jesus unlocking the door. Depending on the hinge, the one thing that becomes a sticking point, whether we believe Jesus died and rose up or not, will determine which door is open. But for those who believe on Jesus, upon their death, they are led to Jesus and united with Jesus. The one’s led to Jesus and united together with Jesus are not left behind.
Paul then confirms what we suspect; these are not his words but the Lord’s words. Paul is not making up stories, he is telling us what the Lord says. Remember, Paul’s proof, which is those who claim to be prophets or spiritual, must agree with Paul and must acknowledge that what Paul is saying is from the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 G3778 For this G1063 G1473 to you G3004 we say G1722 by G3056 word G2962 of the Lord,
3004 LSJ Gloss:λέγω to lay asleep, lull to sleep to gather, pick up to say, speak
Dodson:λέγω I say, speak (denoting speech in progress), (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.
Thayer:
1) to say, to speak
1a) affirm over, maintain
1b) to teach
1c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct
1d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say
1e) to call by name, to call, name
1f) to speak out, speak of, mention
λέγω
legō leg'-o A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean KJV Usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
3056 LSJ Gloss:λόγος the word
Dodson:λόγος a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy.
Thayer:
1) of speech
1a) a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea
1b) what someone has said
1b1) a word
1b2) the sayings of God
1b3) decree, mandate or order
1b4) of the moral precepts given by God
1b5) Old Testament prophecy given by the
λόγος
logos log'-os From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ) KJV Usage: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
Paul says that he speaks or lays forth by the divine utterance of the Lord. This is a mandate from the Lord. If the Lord wants us to know something he has to tell us. These are the Lord’s words.
1 Thessalonians 4:15… G3754 that G1473 we, G3588 the ones G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining G1519 at G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 of the G2962 Lord,
2198 LSJ Gloss:ζάω to live
Dodson:ζάω I live I live, am alive.
Thayer:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real life
2a) to have true life and worthy of the name
2b) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
3a) of mortals or character
4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) metaph. to be in full vigour
5a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,
5b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
ζάω
zaō dzah'-o A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.
4035 Dodson:περιλείπω I leave behind I leave behind; pass: I am left behind, remain, survive.
Thayer:
1) to leave over
2) to remain over, to survive
περιλείπω
perileipō per-ee-li'-po From G4012 and G3007; to leave all around, that is, (passively) survive KJV Usage: remain.
3952 LSJ Gloss:παρουσία a being present, presence
Dodson:παρουσία presence, a coming, arrival, advent
(a) presence, (b) a coming, an arrival, advent, especially of the second coming of Christ.
Thayer:
1) presence
2) the coming, arrival, advent
2a) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God
παρουσία
parousia par-oo-see'-ah From the present participle of G3918; a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physical aspect KJV Usage: coming, presence.
Paul is talking about the living who are left on earth at the advent of the Lord. The people who are alive on earth when the Lord comes, the harpazo, are the group who believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead and they will be harpazo’d. The other group of people that we are talking about are the dead who believe Jesus died and rose from the dead and they too will be harpazo’d. The people who are left behind on the earth at the time Jesus comes do not believe Jesus died and rose up. The people left in hades at the time Jesus comes did not believe Jesus died and rose up. The word from the Lord is for those who believe Jesus died and rose again. This is not a divine utterance for those who do not believe on Jesus. The Lord is speaking through Paul to his own people. The Lord doesn’t want us to have sorrow or grief, the Lord doesn’t want us ignorant or misinformed. The Lord wants us to have hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:15...G3766.2 in no way G5348 should anticipate G3588 the ones G2837 having gone to sleep.
5348 LSJ Gloss:φθάνωto come
Dodson:φθάνω I anticipate, precede, arrive (a) I anticipate, precede, (b) I come, arrive.
Thayer:
1) to come before, precede, anticipate
2) to come to, arrive at
3) to reach, attain to
φθάνω
phthanō fthan'-o Apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, that is, anticipate or precede; by extension to have arrived at KJV Usage: (already) attain, come, prevent.
2837 LSJ Gloss:κοιμάω to lull
Dodson:κοιμάομαι I fall asleep, am asleep I fall asleep, am asleep, sometimes of the sleep of death.
Thayer:
1) to cause to sleep, put to sleep
2) metaph.
2a) to still, calm, quiet
2b) to fall asleep, to sleep
2c) to die
κοιμάω
koimaō koy-mah'-o From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease KJV Usage: (be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.
The living in Christ who have remained on the earth at the time that Jesus comes will not arrive before the dead in Christ. Paul is setting the timing. Someone started teaching contrary to the mystery and Paul is speaking from the Lord to get the future events straight. (Those speaking contrary to Paul were not prophets or spiritual as Paul’s proof would imply) The Thessalonians, as well as we today, do not know the time of the parousia. Someone was suggesting that only the living would rise and the dead would stay dead a while longer. Paul, speaking from the Lord, tells us that that timing is incorrect. The living will not go to heaven ahead of the dead. In fact he points out it is the opposite. This is what Paul does not want us to be ignorant of. Paul is explaining that we should not be ignorant concerning the dead and those left behind on the earth.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 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:
1 Thessalonians 4:16 G3754 For G1473 [3himself G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G1722 in G2752 a word of command G1722 by G5456 the voice G743 of an archangel,…
2752 Dodson:κέλευσμα a word of command, a call a word of command, a call, an arousing outcry.
TBESG: κέλευσμα command
G:N-N
κέλευσμα, -τος, τό
(< κελεύω), [in LXX: Pro.30:27 * ;]
a call, summons, shout of command: 1Th.4:16 (see M, Th., in l).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) an order, command, spec. a stimulating cry, either that by which animals are roused and urged on by man, as horses by charioteers, hounds by hunters, etc., or that by which a signal is given to men, e.g. to rowers by the master of a ship, to soldiers by a commander (with a loud summons, a trumpet call)
κέλευμα
keleuma kel'-yoo-mah From G2753; a cry of incitement KJV Usage: shout.
5456 LSJ Gloss:φωνή a sound, tone
Dodson:φωνή a sound, noise, voice a sound, noise, voice, language, dialect.
Thayer:
1) a sound, a tone
1a) of inanimate things, as musical instruments
2) a voice
2a) of the sound of uttered words
3) speech
3a) of a language, tongue
φωνή
phōnē fo-nay' Probably akin to G5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication an address (for any purpose), saying or language KJV Usage: noise, sound, voice.
743 LSJ Gloss:ἀρχάγγελος an archangel
Dodson:ἀρχάγγελος a ruler of angels, a superior angel, an archangel.
TBESG:ἀρχάγγελος archangel
G:N-M
ἀρχ-άγγελος, -ου, ὁ
(< ἄρχι-, ἄγγελος),
archangel, a chief angel:
Refs
1Th.4:16, Ju 9
(Cremer, 24; MM, see word).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) archangel, or chief of the angelsThe Jews, after the exile, distinguished several orders of angels; some reckoned four angels (according to the four sides of God's throne) of the highest rank; but the majority reckoned seven (after the pattern of the seven Amshaspands, the highest spirits of the religion of Zoroaster)
ἀρχάγγελος
The Lord will come, in or by, a summons or shout of command. There will also be the tone or words of an archangel. We are not to be ignorant or misinformed of these sounds, which is why the Lord is telling us this. The coming of Jesus will not be a quiet or secret event where people disappear and no one knows what happened. Everyone will know what is going on because everyone will hear three things, a command or summons by the Lord and uttered words from an archangel. Then there will be a third sound, a war trumpet.
1 Thessalonians 4:16...G2532 and G1722 with G4536 a trumpet G2316 of God, G2597 shall descend G575 from G3772 heaven,
4536 LSJ Gloss:σάλπιγξ a war-trumpet, trump
Dodson:σάλπιγξ a trumpet a trumpet, the sound of a trumpet.
TBESG:σάλπιγξ trumpet
G:N-F
σάλπιγξ, -ιγγος, ἡ
[in LXX chiefly for שׁוֹפָר, חֲצֹצְרָה ;]
a trumpet, used in war and in religious ceremonies:
Refs 1Co.14:8, Heb.12:19, Rev.1:10 4:1 8:2, 6 8:11 9:14
By meton., a trumpet blast: μετὰ σ. μεγάλης, Mat.24:31; ἐν σ. θεοῦ, 1Th.4:16; ἐν τ. ἐσχάτῃ σ., 1Co.15:52.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a trumpet
σάλπιγξ
salpigx sal'-pinx Perhaps from G4535 (through the idea of quavering or reverberation); a trumpet KJV Usage: trump (-et).
2597 LSJ Gloss:καταβαίνω to step down, go
Dodson:καταβαίνω I go down, come down I go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend.
Thayer:
1) to go down, come down, descend
1a) the place from which one has come down from
1b) to come down
1b1) as from the temple at Jerusalem, from the city of Jerusalem
1b2) of celestial beings coming down to earth
1c) to be cast down
2) of things
2a) to come (i.e. be sent) down
2b) to come (i.e. fall) down
2b1) from the upper regions of the air
3) metaph. to (go i.e.) be cast down to the lowest state of wretchedness and shame
καταβαίνω
katabainō kat-ab-ah'ee-no From G2596 and the base of G939; to descend (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: come (get, go, step) down, descend, fall (down).
575 LSJ Gloss:ἀπό from, away from. c. gen.
Dodson:ἀπό from, away from.
Thayer:
1) of separation
1a) of local separation, after verbs of motion from a place i.e. of departing, of fleeing, ...
1b) of separation of a part from the whole
1b1) where of a whole some part is taken
1c) of any kind of separation of one thing from another by which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed
1d) of a state of separation, that is of distance
1d1) physical, of distance of place
1d2) temporal, of distance of time
2) of origin
2a) of the place whence anything is, comes, befalls, is taken
2b) of origin of a cause
ἀπό
apo apo' A primary particle; “off” , that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
3772 LSJ Gloss:οὐρανός heaven
Dodson:οὐρανός the sky, the heaven heaven, (a) the visible heavens: the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, (b) the spiritual heavens.
Thayer:
1) the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it
1a) the universe, the world
1b) the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
1c) the sidereal or starry heavens
2) the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings
οὐρανός
ouranos oo-ran-os' Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity) KJV Usage: air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.
There will be a command or summons, uttered words or tones from an archangel, and a sound of a war trumpet. Then the Lord will step down, or away, from heaven. Three sounds precede the Lord descending or stepping off, away from heaven. This will be the precursor to the start of the Messianic Kingdom. The beginning of seven years of tribulations on the earth, broken into two periods called the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of the Father. This command or summons, along with the utterance of the archangel and the war trumpet of God, will kick off a time on the earth of sorrow and horror.
As we have previously studied this time period, we recognize Paul’s words for us not to have sorrow like those who have no hope. We who believe Jesus died and rose up should not have sorrow or grief regarding this time. Why? Because this is the time of the harpazo. It does not matter how much human logic and wisdom comes from one with the spirit of the cosmos, we do not have the right or authority to erase what we don’t like or disagree with. If you believe Jesus died and arose, you do not have to be sorrowful, but instead you have hope, elpis, anticipation of something pleasurable, or an expectation and confidence. This is only for those who believe on Jesus. Those who do not believe on Jesus should have sorrow, dread, and fear.
Solomon speaks of this Messianic time when the Lord brings wrath to the earth and the mighty shall be tormented.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-11 (KJVApocrypha)
1 Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
3 For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
4 Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;
5 Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
6 For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
7 For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
8 But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.
10 For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.
11 Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.
If one desires Solomon’s instruction and Paul’s instruction, that one will escape the time of torment and the horrible and speedy coming of the wrath of the Lamb. We should note that the Lord does not punish those who believe he died and rose up. If the wrath of the Lamb came upon those who already believe, it would be like punishing the believers for believing. If those who believe Jesus died and rose up are punished alongside non-believers, why would anyone feel an urgency to believe? What is the benefit of our belief? The benefit is our rising before the wrath of the Lamb comes to earth. We are those who believe before we see, unlike Thomas who had to see and touch the holes in Jesus’ hands and side before he would believe. What would be the benefit for those people who died, yet believed Jesus died and arose, if they went to hades instead of paradise? Why believe before we die if we are punished in hades like the non-believers?
The hope that we are to have, instead of sorrow, is told to us by the Lord himself, which at the time there are three distinct sounds, a summons, an archangel uttering words, and a war trumpet blast, then the Lord will step out of heaven. Then the dead who believed in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16...G2532 and G3588 the G3498 dead G1722 in G5547 Christ G450 shall rise up G4412 first.
3498 LSJ Gloss:νεκρός a dead body, corpse
Dodson:νεκρός dead, a corpse
(a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse.
Thayer:
1) properly
1a) one that has breathed his last, lifeless
1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell
1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate
2) metaph.
2a) spiritually dead
2a1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
2a2) inactive as respects doing right
2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative
νεκρός
nekros nek-ros' From an apparently primary word νέκυς nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) KJV Usage: dead.
5547 Dodson:Χριστός anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
anointed; the Messiah, the Christ.
Thayer:
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2) anointed
Literal: Christ = "anointed"
Χριστός
Christos khris-tos' From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus KJV Usage: Christ.
4412 Dodson:πρῶτον first, before first, in the first place, before, formerly.
Thayer:
1) first in time or place
1a) in any succession of things or persons
2) first in rank
2a) influence, honour
2b) chief
2c) principal
3) first, at the first
πρῶτον
prōton pro'-ton Neuter of G4413 as an adverb (with or without G3588); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) KJV Usage: before, at the beginning, chiefly, (at, at the) first (of all).
The dead will rise up first. They will not stay in the grave, left behind, waiting for another time to enter heaven. The people in paradise rise up first. Not all the dead, not those in hades, but the dead who believed Jesus died and arose will hear three sounds and they will rise up before the people on earth who believe Jesus died and arose. We will study the next part of this time which Paul calls the harpazo next week. Again this is only for those who believe, the hinge point is believing Jesus died and arose. This is not an event for the non-believer. It is not an event for the Jesus rejecter. The harpazo is not for the children of wrath. The harpazo is only for the children of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Living God.
