1 Thessalonians 4 : The Resurrection

Study 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 (and be sure to look at the JST changes in the footnotes); Doctrine and Covenants 88:96–102; 45:54; and answer the following questions in writing:        

• Who will “rise first” to meet the Lord?Those who were righteous, have been baptized and believed in Jesus Christ will “rise first” to meet the Lord.
•  Who, in addition to the righteous dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord?Those who are righteous and still living when Christ comes again.
• Where will they be caught up to?As the scriptures state in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, these Saints will be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air [...]."
• How will the righteous Saints participate in the Second Coming?The righteous saints will become teachers. They will teach those who didn’t have a chance to hear the gospel, so they can have the opportunity to except or reject the gospel.
•  Who will be resurrected at the Second Coming?The people that have lived a righteous life and accepted the gospel in this life or in the spirit prison.
•  How do the Joseph Smith Translation changes for 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 clarify what Paul taught about who would be alive when Christ comes again?That both those who are alive and asleep, who are righteous, shall be with the Lord.
•  Who will not survive the Second Coming? The people that are under the condemnation.
•  When will they be resurrected?They will be resurrected at the end of the millennium just before the judgement.

2 John. Abide “in the Doctrine of Christ”

1. Read 2 John 1:7 and the institute student manual commentary for 2 John 7, “For Many Deceivers Are Entered into the World” (p. 437). Summarize in one or two paragraphs the false doctrine John warned against, where it came from, and what effect it would have if it were believed.

The false doctrine that John warned against is any argument or theory that says that Jesus did not come in the flesh. This point is central to the gospel. Members of the Church of Christ, in those days as now govern their lives under the doctrine of atonement and the principle of repentance (among others). To deny this would imply that “our sins would have remained unremitted” and “we and all before us would have remained dead forever and ever. All of our expectations for eternal life would have been shattered.”

This kind of teaching comes from Satan Satan and his emissaries and those who follow it will be deceived and took away from the truths revealed by God.

2. Read 2 John 1:8–13. Write one or two sentences explaining what counsel John gave that could help avoid this and other false doctrines generally.

John recommended that the members continue to keep the commandments and stay close to the church to avoid false doctrine. He said “abide in the doctrine of Christ”, this means to live the doctrine, apply the doctrine, to make it a part of your life. When he said that they should “not receive them into their house” he also gave the counsel that the members not spend time with those that teach things that are contrary to the teachings of the church.

Jesus Christ Is Greater than Angels

1.    Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

• Jesus is greater than the angels
• Jesus is greater than Moses
• Superior to Melchizedek
• Superior to Aaron
• Greater than Abraham

2.    Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

• Jesus Christ made the worlds.
• He purged our sins for us.
• Jesus sits on the right hand of God and is superior to angels

3.    Read Hebrews 2:7–18; 4:13–16; Alma 7:11–15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

He came to the earth to atone for our sins and save us. We could not pay the debt of sin and we needed someone blameless to intercede for us and give us the opportunity to come back to the Father's presence, if we repent and keep the commandments.

It was also necessary for Him to come because as He had suffered all things, we can find in Him the consolation and helpmeet for our current conditions. Similarly He suffered temptation, but did not fall into it. Therefore we can find in Him strength to resist our own temptations