4:16a

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven: The Lord Jesus is presently sitting at God’s right hand in heaven. See, for example, Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55. It is from there that he will descend to earth.

the Lord Himself: The Lord Jesus Christ will personally return to earth.

4:16b–d

with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: Commentators disagree about whether this part of the verse describes three events, two events, or one event. However, the Greek text lists them as three events, and most English versions translate them in that way, so it is recommended that you also translate them as three distinct events.

4:16b

with a loud command: Most scholars agree that this refers to a command that Jesus himself will shout. If possible, do not state what or whom Jesus commands. Paul did not tell us, and so we can only guess. If it is necessary to include this information in your translation, you could translate it:

he will loudly command believers who have died to become alive again

4:16c

with the voice of an archangel: People will also hear an archangel speak. He may be speaking to other angels, but we do not know this.

an archangel: An archangel is a chief angel.

4:16d

with the trumpet of God: This does not mean that God will blow the trumpet, but that the trumpet belongs to God. Paul did not tell us here who will blow the trumpet. However, in Revelation, it is always angels who blow trumpets to announce events. See, for example, Revelation 8–11. If it is possible in your language, do not say who blows the trumpet, but that “God’s trumpet will be blown.” If it is necessary to indicate who blows the trumpet, you could say “an angel.”

4:16e

the dead in Christ: Most English versions understand this to refer to those who believed in Christ before they died, that is, “believers who have died.”

will be the first to rise: This means that the believers who have already died will become alive again, before those who are still living go to meet Christ in the air. It does not mean that those who have died will rise into the air before those who are still living.

© 2002 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.