Topical Bible: Death: Exemption From: Promised to Saints at the Second Coming of Christ

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The concept of exemption from death for the saints at the Second Coming of Christ is a significant theme in Christian eschatology. This promise is rooted in the hope of eternal life and the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ. The New Testament provides several passages that highlight this promise, offering assurance to believers that they will be transformed and spared from the finality of death when Christ returns.

Biblical Foundation

1. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 : "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." This passage reveals the mystery of the transformation that will occur at the Second Coming. The term "sleep" is often used metaphorically in Scripture to refer to death, indicating that not all believers will experience physical death. Instead, those who are alive at Christ's return will be instantaneously transformed.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 : "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord." This passage provides a vivid description of the events at the Second Coming. The living saints will be "caught up" or raptured, joining the resurrected believers to meet Christ, thus bypassing death.

3. Philippians 3:20-21 : "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body." Here, the transformation of the saints' bodies is emphasized, highlighting the change from mortality to immortality, akin to Christ's resurrected body.

Theological Implications

The promise of exemption from death at the Second Coming underscores the hope and assurance of eternal life for believers. It reflects the ultimate triumph over sin and death, achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This promise is a source of comfort and encouragement, affirming that death is not the final destiny for those in Christ.

Eschatological Context

In the broader eschatological framework, the exemption from death is part of the events surrounding the Parousia, or the return of Christ. It is associated with the resurrection of the dead, the rapture of the living saints, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This hope is central to the Christian faith, motivating believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

For believers, the promise of exemption from death at the Second Coming serves as a call to steadfast faith and holy living. It encourages a focus on eternal realities rather than temporal concerns, fostering a life of hope, perseverance, and readiness for the Lord's return. This assurance also provides comfort in the face of mortality, knowing that death has been conquered through Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Nave's Topical Index

1 Thessalonians 4:15,17
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
... it seems to us a fine pretext for exemption to say ... breaking faith with Him to whom
we have promised all duty ... 13), that the death of the saints is precious in ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/calvin enduring persecution for.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... us the full amount of what the Law has promised. ... the Law, which can produce nothing
but death in sinners ... many, when they would express this exemption from the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... the illiterate fishermen of Galilee, and promised them no ... to the contrary, and his
absolute exemption from every ... purest life with the sublimest death, and ever ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... is pursued by the law, and by sin, and by death, and has ... a bad cause, is a
mystery.-The best saints are most ... SECOND, TO SHOW HOW CHRIST DOES MANAGE HIS OFFICE. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... 2. His second argument is, There is 'one spirit,' or ... act of the Holy Ghost, baptizing
the saints into a ... is preached to the believer, viz., the death of Christ ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

The Positive Side
... deliver me from the body of this death" (v.24 ... comes after he had spoken of the promised
"deliverance", he ... Spirit dwells in them, claim an exemption from what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the positive side.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... By the following law the exemption of the clergy from ... for the destruction of sin
and death; begotten of ... God, Jesus Christ, both God and Lord, promised to send ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

part viii.
... from which they suffered torments worse than death [1758 ... and they nominated only
such as promised to adopt ... for the sake of the miserable exemption [1786] from ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part viii.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... children, and not believing God, who promised that his ... estrangement from the society
of saints, you reject ... obedience defended him, and whose death secures his ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... but that which constitutes rest"namely, exemption from weariness ... with Him by baptism
unto death." [1809] How? ... as if He were not performing what He promised. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lv replies to questions.htm