1 Thessalonians 4–5

The Time When Christ Will Return to the Earth

What questions or thoughts come to your mind when you think about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? In his first epistle to the Thessalonians, chapters 4–5, the Apostle Paul taught important details about the Savior’s Second Coming and how we can be prepared for it. This lesson is intended to help you understand what will happen and how you can prepare for the time when Jesus Christ returns to the earth.

Student preparation: Ask students to imagine what it will be like when the Savior comes again. Invite them to answer the following questions in their study journals or on a piece of paper: What excites you about the Second Coming? What makes you nervous?

Possible Learning Activities

Questions about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Display an image that depicts the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, such as the one at the beginning of the lesson. Students could be reminded of their student preparation activity as the following questions are discussed.

• What are some things you know about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

• What are some things you don’t know?

This part of the lesson is not intended to cover everything students know or answer all of the questions they have about the Second Coming. Rather, it is to help them relate to the Thessalonian Saints, who understood some things but had questions about others.

The Thessalonian Saints also had questions about the Savior’s Second Coming. Based on Paul’s teachings in these chapters, they may have asked questions like, “When will our loved ones who have died be resurrected?,” “When will the Second Coming of Jesus Christ happen?,” or “How can we prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?” Maybe you have had similar questions. The following study activities address these questions.

The following study activities are intended to help students study and explain Paul’s teachings to the Thessalonians about the Second Coming.

One way to accomplish this would be to divide the class into pairs or small groups and provide each group with one of the following handouts to study and discuss together. An individual from each group could then be asked to share with the class a brief summary of what the group learned from their studies.

Alternatively, students could be placed into groups of three, with each student being assigned a different handout to complete individually. Then each student in the group could summarize what they learned for the other members of their group.

Students could use the back of the paper to record their responses.

Study Activity 1: What will happen to the living and the dead at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, looking for insights about what will happen to the righteous when Jesus comes again. Note the difference between what will happen to those who have died and those who are still living at the Second Coming. (The words “asleep” and “sleep” in these verses refer to those who are dead.) It may be helpful to read the Joseph Smith Translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 (in verse 15, footnote a, and verse 17, footnote a).

• What was significant to you in these verses?

Next, read Doctrine and Covenants 88:96–98, looking for additional insights about these events. (You may also want to read verses 99–101 to learn about what will happen to those who did not accept Jesus Christ in this life.)

• What additional insights did you gain?

One truth you may have identified could be that faithful Saints who die before the Second Coming will be resurrected when Christ comes again.

The term “caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) refers to the righteous joining together to meet the Savior at His coming. Many Christians use the word rapture (from a Latin term meaning “caught up”) when referring to this time.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following about this sacred event:

Nothing lifts my desire to speak of Christ more than visualizing His return. While we do not know when He will come, the events of His return will be breathtaking! He will come in the clouds of heaven in majesty and glory with all His holy angels. Not just a few angels but all His holy angels. These are not the cherry-cheeked cherubim painted by Raphael, found on our Valentine cards. These are the angels of the centuries, the angels sent to shut the mouths of lions, to open prison doors, to announce His long-awaited birth, to comfort Him in Gethsemane, to assure His disciples at His Ascension, and to open the glorious Restoration of the gospel.

Can you imagine being caught up to meet Him, whether on this side or the other side of the veil? That is His promise to the righteous. This amazing experience will mark our souls forever.

(Neil L. Andersen, “We Talk of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 91)

Take some time to imagine what it might be like to be numbered among the righteous at the Savior’s coming.

• What thoughts or feelings might you have on that day? How do you feel knowing that the Savior wants you to join Him when He comes? How does imagining that future day influence you today?

In 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Paul encouraged the Saints to “comfort one another with these words.”

• How do Paul’s teachings provide you with comfort? How could they provide comfort in future circumstances you might face?

Study Activity 2: When will the Second Coming of Jesus Christ happen?

Have you ever wondered when the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will happen or if you will be prepared? The Thessalonian Saints likely had those same questions.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 and look for metaphors Paul used to describe the time when Jesus would return to the earth.

• What did you find?

• What do Paul’s metaphors of a thief in the night and a woman in labor teach you about the Savior’s Second Coming?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4–6 and look for truths Paul taught about being prepared for the Second Coming. Compare these teachings with Doctrine and Covenants 106:4–5.

• What insights did you gain?

One truth we can learn from Paul’s teachings is that if we strive to be “children of light” by following Jesus Christ, we will be prepared when He comes again.

To learn more about different ways the Lord invites us to become children of light, read 3  Nephi 18:24; Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25; 88:67–68. List in your study journal what you find that helps you understand how to be a child of light.

• How are you inviting the Lord’s light into your life? How could you invite more of His light into your life?

Study Activity 3: How can we prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

Paul concluded his first epistle to the Thessalonians by sharing counsel about how the Saints could be better prepared to meet the Savior at His Second Coming.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 and see what insights you gain about being prepared. Be open to thoughts about which teachings might be particularly helpful to you.

• Which of these teachings is most meaningful to you? Why?

Find a scripture or two that helps to deepen your understanding of the teaching you selected. (You might use footnotes or look up a subject in the Guide to the Scriptures or Topical Guide to help you find a related scripture.)

• How has Jesus Christ helped you, or how will He help you, be ready for His Second Coming? What can you learn about Him from this?

Reflect on the truths you have learned today and the actions you have felt prompted to take that will help you be more prepared and excited to meet the Savior again. Record your thoughts in your study journal.

Testify about the blessings that come as we take simple but meaningful steps toward being prepared for when Christ comes again to the earth.

Commentary and Background Information

1 Thessalonians 5:2. How can the timing of the Savior’s Second Coming be compared to a thief in the night?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that a thief in the night usually comes “unexpectedly and without warning” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1973], 3:54). This analogy suggests that the Savior’s Second Coming will come as a surprise to some.

1 Thessalonians 5:21. What did Paul mean by “prove all things; hold fast that which is good”?

Paul invited the Thessalonian Saints to “prove all things”—meaning to examine or test them in order to understand if they are good or evil—and to “hold fast that which is good.” As members of the Church, we are taught not only to learn the gospel, but to ponder, pray about, and ultimately understand it (see 3 Nephi 17:1–3; Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–26). We then need to hold firmly and faithfully to the good we come to understand.

Supplemental Learning Activities

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11. The importance of work

If students would benefit from discussing the importance of work, consider using the following:

Ask students to describe the most challenging work they have done. Why was it challenging? What value resulted from doing it?

Invite students to read 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11, looking for what Paul taught about work. Allow students to share their insights. Consider asking students to share how they have come to appreciate the value of work.

Students could also be invited to read and discuss the “Work and Self-Reliance” section of the For the Strength of Youth booklet ([2011], 40–41).

Ask students how being a hard worker could help them become like the Savior.

1 Thessalonians 5:11–22. Alternate teaching idea

Invite students to choose a phrase from these verses (for example, “Rejoice evermore” [verse 16]) and write a social media post or create a meme that has this title. Students could include their thoughts about why this phrase is important to them and how it can help someone come closer to Jesus Christ and be better prepared for His coming.