1 Thessalonians 4:17

“Then we which are alive and remain, etc.] (see Gill on “<520415>1 Thessalonians 4:15”). shall be caught up; suddenly, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and with force and power; by the power of Christ, and by the ministry and means of the holy angels; and to which rapture will contribute, the agility which the bodies both of the raised and changed saints will have: and this rapture of the living saints will be together with them; with the dead in Christ, that will then be raised; so that the one will not come before the other, or the one be sooner with Christ than the other; but the one being raised and the other changed, they will be joined in one company and general assembly, and be…”

“we which are alive . . . shall be caught up--after having been "changed in a moment" (Co1 15:51-52). Again he says, "we," recommending thus the expression to Christians of all ages, each generation bequeathing to the succeeding one a continually increasing obligation to look for the coming of the Lord. [EDMUNDS]. together with them--all together: the raised dead, and changed living, forming one joint body. in the clouds--Greek, "in clouds." The same honor is conferred on them as on their Lord. As He was taken in a cloud at His ascension (Act 1:9), so at His return with clouds (Rev 1:7), they shall be caught up in clouds. The clouds are His and their triumphal chariot (Psa 104:3; Dan 7:13).…”

“Then we which are alive - Those who shall then be alive; see 1 Thessalonians 4:15. The word here rendered “then” (ἔπειτα epeita), does not necessarily mean that this would occur immediately. It properly marks succession in time, and means “afterward, next, next in the order of events;” Luke 16:7; Galatians 1:21; James 4:14. There may be a considerable interval between the resurrection of the pious and the time when the living shall be caught up to meet the Lord, for the change is to take place in them which will fit them to ascend with those who have been raised. The meaning is, that after the dead are raised, or the next thing in order, they and the living will ascend to meet the Lord.…”

“Together - In the same moment. In the air - The wicked will remain beneath, while the righteous, being absolved, shall be assessors with their Lord in the judgment. With the Lord - In heaven. Next: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5”

“4:17 to meet: This alludes to the custom of sending an official delegation to greet a visiting dignitary and accompany him as he enters the city (Matt 25:6, 10; Acts 28:15-16).”

“we which: Th1 4:15; Co1 15:52 caught: Kg1 18:12; Kg2 2:11, Kg2 2:16; Act 8:39; Co2 12:2-4; Rev 11:12, Rev 12:5 in the: Mat 26:64; Mar 14:62; Act 1:9; Rev 1:7 and so: Psa 16:11, Psa 17:15, Psa 49:15, Psa 73:24; Isa 35:10, Isa 60:19, Isa 60:20; Joh 12:26, Joh 14:3; Joh 17:24; Co2 5:8; Phi 1:23; Pe2 3:13; Rev 7:14-17, Rev 21:3-7, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23; Rev 22:3-5 1 Thessalonians 4:18”