Note 7 at 1 Th. 4:16: The return of the Lord to the earth, the bodily resurrection of saints who have already died, and the catching up of saints who are alive at that time are not disputed. These events are universally believed throughout the body of Christ. However, the time that these events take place is one of the most divisive arguments among Christians today.

There is no one passage of scripture that chronologically explains these events. This portion of scripture in 1 Thessalonians 4 comes as close as any, and yet there still needs to be much interpretation to arrive at the current popular doctrines that exist today.

If the Lord did not see fit to make the "time line" of these events a major focus of any of the writers of the New Testament, then it probably should not be a major focus of ours either. We should not be so adamant about a position that is not crystal clear in scripture that we reject other believers who do not see it our way. We should remain open to other possibilities so that if everything doesn't go the way we expect, we won't panic and lose faith.

Those who are seeking the Lord with all their hearts have nothing to worry about. They will be caught up with the Lord whenever that happens.

Note 8 at 1 Th. 4:16: The word "shout" was translated from the Greek word KELEUMA, which means "a cry of incitement" (Strong). This word was used "?by a military officer to his soldiers, or by a hunter to his hounds, or by a charioteer to his horses. When used to military or naval personnel, it was a battle cry. In most places it denotes a loud, authoritative cry, often one uttered in the thick of a great excitement" (Linguistic Key to the Greek N.T., p. 599).

Note 9 at 1 Th. 4:16: The Greek word translated "voice" in this verse is PHONE. This word means "a tone; ?an address" (Strong). So, this could be speaking of more than just a shout, possibly an address similar to that recorded in Revelation 11:15.

Note 10 at 1 Th. 4:16: The English word "archangel" was translated from the Greek word ARCHAGGELOS, which means "a chief angel" (Strong). However, the use of the definite article "the" is specifying a particular angel-the chief angel. The Greek word ARCHAGGELOS was a compound word from ARCHO, meaning "to be first (in political rank or power) and AGGELOS, meaning "a messenger" (Strong). There can only be one "first angel." It is most probable that this is referring to Michael who is the only angel referred to in scripture as "the archangel" (Jude 9; see ref. b at v. 13).

Note 11 at 1 Th.4:16: This passage is not specific on which trump this will be. However, a parallel passage of scripture in 1 Corinthains 15:51-52, which most people would believe is describing the same event, is more specific (see Parallel Scriptures, above). In that passage, Paul states that it is "at the last trump" when Christ appears and our bodies are changed.

The seventh and final trumpet in the book of Revelation, and indeed the last mention of a trumpet in the Bible, is in Revelation 11:15. By comparing what the angel said in Revelation 10:5-7 about what would happen at the last trumpet blast with Revelation 11:15-19, we can see this last trumpet is signaling the second return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note 12 at 1 Th. 4:16: Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout (see note 8 at this v., p. 1239). The voice (see note 9 at this v., p. 1239) of the archangel (see note 10 at this v., p. 1239) and a trumpet blast will be heard (see note 11 at this v., p. 1239). At this moment all the bodies of Christians who have died shall rise. The material elements of the body will be reassembled and united to the soul and spirit. Every individual who has ever lived will ultimately be reconstituted a complete person-spirit, soul, and body.