QT 10 Dec 14, Rapture is a physical salvation into an eternal future

1 Thess 4:15 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: There is a great debate on what this word wrath means--is it soteriological (salvation-oriented) or eschatological (future times-, tribulation-oriented)?. The Greek word is orge, pronounced or-gay' and Strong defines as "properly desire (as a reaching for or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion." It is used more than three times of God toward man in only 3 books: Romans, Revelation, and 1 Thessalonians. In Revelation, it is used exclusively during the period of Tribulation. In 1 Thess, the emphasis is on protection from a coming wrath, and in Romans, the word could be used either of the coming wrath of God against mankind or his wrath against sin as a reason for our need for salvation. Romans has the largest number of uses. So, it is not clear. But in this passage in 1 Thess, it is most likely eschatological since that is the root of the discussion, i.e. has the Lord returned or not, and what about people who have already died? So, Paul could be saying that people who died don't have to worry because they are justified by Jesus death as much as those who are alive (this is the soteriological answer). But that doesn't make sense, surely they knew that. The most likely explanation, is that they were confused about the rapture (what happens if you are dead), and how does that relate to the coming tribulation period when God's wrath is exercised against all of mankind who has refused to believe. In that sense (eschatologically), Paul is saying that we will not need to worry about going through the tribulation but will be saved (physically) from that time. Part of our problem is not realizing that the word salvation is used in both spiritual and physical explanations. Verses that discuss salvation by works are referring to the daily walk (also called sanctification) and how we are saved from our sinful flesh by obedience and good works--we become more like Christ. Salvation is also used in a spiritual sense as in our justification when we put our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. There is no work involved, only faith. That salvation secures our eternity, our inheritance, and our standing with God (justification), and our future glorification (when we will be like him). The rapture saves us from physically going through the tribulation and brings about glorification (when we receive our new bodies and no longer have to fight against the sinful flesh). Praise God for our salvation--justification, sanctification, and glorification.