The purpose of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians was to confirm what he had previously taught them concerning the 'end times'...2 Thessalonians 2:5.

A Quote from Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

1 Thessalonians 4:13 'The leading topic of Paul’s preaching at Thessalonica having been the coming kingdom (Act_17:7), some perverted it into a cause for fear in respect to friends lately deceased, as if these would be excluded from the glory which those found alive alone should share. This error Paul here corrects (compare 1Th_5:10).......'

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 and the 'Word of the Lord'

1Th 4:14-17 KJV For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

This particular portion of Scripture is Dispensationalism's 'candy stick' and used to support Margaret MacDonald’s 'rapture' prophecy. Nevertheless, the rapture doctrine necessitates a two-stage second coming of Christ not found in the Scriptures.

What exactly was 'the word of the Lord' to the Thessalonians?

Paul said he was speaking ‘by the word of the Lord’ like the phrase used by the Old Testament Prophets ‘thus saith the Lord’, meaning by direct revelation.

False teachers had caused doubt in the hearts of believers by proclaiming those who had recently died would miss the glorious return of the Lord. The Lord reassured the Thessalonians 'the dead in Christ shall rise first'.

'we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord' The Thessalonians clearly understood their generation would witness Christ’s return.

'caught up' This phrase was translated from the Greek word 'harpazo', more on this later.

If Paul received additional revelation from the Lord regarding His return, surely it would not contradict what He told the disciples in Matthew 24.

Paul did not reveal a new two-stage return; on the contrary, he alluded to Matthew 24:31.

Mat 24:31 KJV And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

'they shall gather together his elect' Jesus never taught rapture as described by Dispensationalism, but He did teach the gathering together of His elect.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 and the 'Day of the Lord'

Can we learn from Scripture what the Church in Thessalonica actually believed regarding the events surrounding the return of the Lord? It may come as a surprise to some, but yes, we can.

1Th 5:2-6 KJV For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

A careful study of these verses will show that Paul had only one day and one single event in mind, the 'day of the Lord'.

'let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober' If the Church was to be 'rapture ready' at the beginning of the seven years great tribulation before the 'day of the Lord', the second coming of Christ, why did Paul encourage the saints to be diligent and not to sleep, if they were not going to be around for the 'day of the Lord'.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 and the 'Day of the Lord'

2Th 2:1 YLT And we ask you, brethren, in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him,

'our gathering together unto him' Once again, Paul alluded to Matthew 24:31.

2Th 2:2-3 YLT that ye be not quickly shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither through spirit, neither through word, neither through letters as through us, as that the day of Christ hath arrived; 3 let not any one deceive you in any manner, because—if the falling away may not come first, and the man of sin be revealed—the son of the destruction,

False teachers had convinced some believers that the 'Day of the Lord' had already taken place, but how could that have happened if Paul had taught them the popular 21st century 'end times' concept:

The physical rapture The physical resurrection with open gravesp Jesus physically descending on a cloud with the sound of the trumpet Every eye beholding the physical and visible return of Jesus Destruction on a cosmic level

All they had to do was look around, everything continued as before!

If a physical rapture had taken place, surely they would have noticed the disappearance of at least some believers. Not to mention the event was supposed to have happened seven years earlier.

Paul did not correct their understanding as to the spiritual manner of the second coming of Christ; rather, he built on their knowledge and only corrected the timing issue…1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.

Therefore their concept of the 'day of the Lord' and the spiritual manner of the coming of the Lord must have been the correct one.