1 Thessalonians 4:14 — Together with Him

14 “… thus also, those who are put to repose, will God, through Jesus, lead forth together with Him.”

Paul has just stated the foundation of our hope: Jesus died and rose again. Now he draws the conclusion. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so God will also act on behalf of those who have fallen asleep. Death does not have the final word. God will lead them through Jesus, together with Him. Paul is not announcing a continuation of their existence elsewhere, but a future intervention by God.

The words “through Jesus” belong with the verb “lead.” God acts, and Jesus is the one through whom He does so. The Greek word simply means “lead” or “bring.” But how will God lead those who have fallen asleep together with Jesus? Paul explains this further on: “the dead in Christ will rise first” (verse 16). By raising them, God brings them together with Christ.

This verse is often interpreted to mean that, at His coming, Jesus brings deceased believers with Him from heaven. But that is not what it says here. Paul specifically describes them as sleeping. They will not awaken until the resurrection. Nor does he say that Jesus brings them with Him, but that God will lead them through Jesus. The prospect is not that the dead will return from heaven, but that they will rise from the dead!

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