Without warning

Step 4 of the lesson, “What Hope Do You Have?” is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. I thought it would be instructive for members to read these verses in two translations and a paraphrase, comparing the later to a formal equivalent translation.

In this passage, Paul clearly expected the Lord to return at any time, possibly while he was still living. He communicated “no early warning sign” that would tip off the occurrence of the rapture (harpazo). In other words, the rapture will occur without warning, and can happen at any moment (1 Cor 15:51-52).