在本卷書之導論中，我們看見帖撒羅尼迦的信徒，關心那已經死了的基督徒弟兄姊妹。他們在耶穌再來之前就死了，會享受不到主來的日子所有的獎賞和榮耀嗎？保羅寫這卷書，就是要消除他們的恐懼和「無知」（13節）；有了這種心理，才會引起那樣的關切（13~18節）。

        在耶穌復活的歷史事實基礎上，保羅說，我們有理由相信，凡信靠祂的，在那日也必復活。那些「在祂裡面」死了的人，將和他一同起來，並且在那日，所有那些復活的人，「上帝也必將他們與耶穌一同帶來」（13，14節）。在那日，凡活著還存留的人，也一同有份。只是那些「在基督；裡死了的人」必先復活。那日子，必有天上的命令宣佈，所有信耶穌的人（死去與活著的）將要「被提到一起……在空中雲裡與主相遇」（15~17節）。由這以後，教會永遠「與主同在」。

        保羅說：這個奇妙的真理，將會帶來「希望」（13節）與「安慰」（18節），給那些有親人在基督裡死了的信徒。因為他們根本並不是真死。不，這並不是否認死亡，而是勝過死亡的凱歌。我們的救主已經復活──我們也會這樣。並且祂也保證，當祂再臨之時，我們都要在那一起歡慶！

        哦主，幫助我們，能真正地對那些在信心上已經死了的人，用信心的話互相安慰。同時，也幫助我們，面對那些失去信心的人，今天仍能正常地奔走天路。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        In the introduction, we saw that the Thessalonian believers were concerned about their Christian brothers and sisters who had died. Would they, by dying before the return of Jesus, be disqualified from the benefits and glories of that Day of the Lord? Paul writes to dispel their fears and the "ignorance" (v. 13) that has caused this concern (vv. 13-18).

        On the basis of the historical fact of Jesus' resurrection, Paul says we have cause to believe that all who put their trust in Him will be resurrected too. Those who have died "in Him" will rise with Him and "God will bring with Jesus" all of these resurrected ones on that Day (vv. 13,14). Those who are physically alive on that Day will also participate, but only after the "dead in Christ" have risen first. That Day will be announced with a heavenly command and all who believe in Christ (both "deceased" and "alive") will "be caught up together... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (vv. 15-17). From that point, the Church will forever be "with the Lord."

        This marvelous truth should bring "hope" (v. 13) and "comfort" (v. 18) to all who have loved ones dead in Christ, says Paul. For they're not really dead at all. No, this is not denial of death; this is triumph over death. Our Saviour has risen — and so will we. And He will make sure that when He returns we are all there for the celebration.

        Help us, O Lord, to truly comfort one another with words of faith concerning those who've died in faith. Also, help us to walk properly today toward those who are outside the faith.