All things bear record · 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 4

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 1 further echo from the reading.

Lord Jesus

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2

Paul's counsel carries the authority of the Lord Jesus; his commandments were given by Him.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

The Lord the avenger

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 1 Thessalonians 4:6

The Lord will bring justice on those who wrong and defraud others; He is the Judge.

A readingExplicitA title of Christ

Jesus died and rose again

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Because Jesus truly died and rose again, faithful Saints who have died ('sleep in Jesus') will also rise and come with Him.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — 'Christ died for our sins ... and that he rose again the third day'

The Lord Himself shall descend

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. 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17

By revelation from the Lord, Paul describes the Second Coming: Jesus Himself will come down from heaven with a trumpet call, the righteous dead will rise first, and the living righteous will be caught up to meet Him and be with Him forever.

AttestedExplicitA prophecy of Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same event in D&C 88:96-98 — the living saints 'shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him'; the graves opened
  • the same event in D&C 45:45 — 'the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud'
  • the same event in Matthew 24:30-31 — the Son of man coming in the clouds 'with a great sound of a trumpet'