1 Thessalonians 4:17 - Exposition

Then we which are alive and remain ; or, are left ; that is, the saints who shall then be found alive on the earth. The apostle classes himself among the living, because he was then alive. Shall be caught up. The expression describes the irresistible power with which the saints shall be caught up, perhaps by the ministry of angels. Together with them ; with the dead in Christ who are raised. In the clouds . Our Lord is described as coming to judgment in the clouds of heaven ( Matthew 24:30 ; Revelation 1:7 ). According to the Old Testament representation, God is described as making the clouds his chariot ( Psalms 104:3 ). To meet the Lord ; in his descent from heaven to earth. In the air . Not that he shall fix his throne in the air, but that he passes through the air in his descent to the earth. And so shall we ever be with the Lord ; shall share a blessed eternity in the vision and participation of his glory. The apostle does not here describe the solemnities of the judgment; but stops at the meeting of Christ and his risen saints, because his object was to comfort the Thessalonians under bereavement.