William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 4:15

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 4:15


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

In this verse St. Paul obviates an objection: Some might say, that the saints found alive at the last day might be sooner happy than the dead saints; no, says the apostle, they that are alive, shall not prevent them that sleep, they shall not prevent their rising, nor shall they get the start of them, or get to heaven before them, or have any advantage above them; the living saints shall not be made happy without them, nor one moment before them.

Learn hence, that the resurrection which the saints that sleep in Jesus shall be made partakers of, shall put them into as full a capacity of the glory of Christ's coming, as if they had remained alive in the body till that blessed hour. Nay, the dead in Christ shall rise first, that is, the saints who sleep in the grave at Christ's coming, shall be so far from being made less happy, or later happy, than the saints who shall be found alive, that they shall be first remembered. Christ's first care will be about his dead saints; they that have slept so long in their bed of dust shall be first awakened, before any thing be done about them that never slept; if there be any privilege, any joy, any triumph, greater than others, such as sleep in Jesus, and especially such as have suffered for Jesus, shall be partakers of it at that great day.