On this episode, we look at the last big text of Paul when it comes to the topic of new creation. Come see what Paul says about the “coming” of Jesus and what his word choice reveals to us about how that will look.

Music:
“Kid Kodi”
Blue Dot Sessions
http://www.sessions.blue

Show Notes:

Episode #42 – New Creation in Paul –
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

1 Enoch – Second Temple Jewish Thought

• Pseudepigraphical work
• Enoch was taken up to heaven; so, he has a special knowledge of the “heavens” (in Enoch “heaven” means outer space). 
• Part of Enoch is concerned with how the angels cause the planets to move. Specifically, the concern is a lunar vs. solar calendar for marking the time of specific Jewish celebrations. 
• The moving of the heavens is imperfect, so the author waits for “new creation.” 

Context

• Paul’s trip to Thessalonica, wherein he established the church, was cut short by the Jewish leaders, causing Paul to flee. 
• This causes Paul concern for these new Christians. He desires to go back, but Satan has prevented it. So, Paul sends Timothy to check on them.
• Timothy’s report is positive, and results in Paul writing 1 Thessalonians. Most of the letter recalls Paul’s relationship with these Christians. He then encourages them to stay true to things they have already learned. The letter closes with Paul dealing with some misunderstandings regarding Christ’s second coming. 
• In the section we are considering, Paul is dealing with misunderstandings about what happens to Christians who die before Christ returns. It seems that the Thessalonians believe that Christians who are alive when Christ returns will get preferential treatment, or perhaps those who have died will not get to go be with Christ. 

The Text

• Paul eases the Thessalonians’ minds by giving the chronology of events when Christ returns. 
  • Christ will “descend from heaven” “with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet.” 
  • Then, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” 
  • Then, the Christians who are alive “will be caught up in the clouds” with the Christians who have been raised “to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.” 
• “Coming” (v. 15) – παρουσία (Parousia) 
  • Refers to an emperor winning a victory against a town/city, the inhabitants of the city would go and meet the emperor outside the city to usher him back in as their new king. 
• Other explanations of the text
• Simplest meaning 

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Wanting to study further? Check out our previous episode discussing new creation in the text of Romans 8 here: