The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4

¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen ₁ asleep, lest you sorrow _t as others _u who have no hope. ¹⁴ For _v if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him _w those who ₂ sleep in Jesus. ₃ ¹⁵ For this we say to you _x by the word of the Lord, that _y we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are ₄ asleep. ¹⁶ For _z the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with _a the trumpet of God. _b And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ _c Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them _d in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus _e we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ _f Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1. Cross References
   Leviticus 19:28
   You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.
   
2. Cross References
   Ephesians 2:12
   That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
   
3. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:13
   But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
   
4. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:20
   But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
   1 Corinthians 15:23
   But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Kings 13:17
   "For I have been told by the word of the LORD, 'You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.'"
   1 Kings 20:35
   Now a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor by the word of the LORD, "Strike me, please." And the man refused to strike him.
   2 Corinthians 12:1
   It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
   Galatians 1:12
   For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
   
6. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:51
   Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -
   1 Corinthians 15:52
   In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
   1 Thessalonians 5:10
   Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
   
7. Cross References
   Matthew 24:30
   Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
   Matthew 24:31
   And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
   
8. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:52
   In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
   
9. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:23
   But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
   2 Thessalonians 2:1
   Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you.
   Revelation 14:13
   Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.
   Revelation 20:6
   Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
   
10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:51 - 53
    Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -
    1 Thessalonians 5:10
    Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
    
11. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
    Acts 1:9
    Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
    Revelation 11:12
    And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
    
12. Cross References
    John 14:3
    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
    John 17:24
    Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
    
13. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:11
    Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.