Waking the Sleepers

In his two letters to the Thessalonians, written in the years 48-49, St. Paul endeavors to clarify what he has already taught these new Christians about the second coming of Christ.  A homily of St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) on 1 Thessalonians 4, 13-18, helps us to see the significance of Paul's words.  First, Chrysostom notes that in the letter, Paul speaks of Christ having died, but of Christians "sleeping":

" 'Those who sleep.'  Paul never says, 'they died'.  But indeed he said of Christ that 'he died', for he said that he rose.  But here he speaks of 'those who have slept'.  Either he says this because they are dead in the faith of Jesus, or that Jesus will lead to heaven those who 'have slept', that is, the faithful."

And, on Paul's description of the work of the Resurrection, Chrysostom notes:

" 'For The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with commandment, and the voice of an archangel, and with the last trumpet.'  Indeed, Christ had said: 'The powers of heaven will be moved' (Matthew 24, 29).  Why with a trumpet?  We will see this on Mount Zion, and there the angels, also.  What does he wish the archangel to say for him?  As was said to the virgins: 'Arise, the Bridegroom comes!' (Matthew 25, 6).   He will say either this, or that which is done for a king.  So shall it be done at that time by the ministering angels at the Resurrection.  For he will say, 'Let the dead rise!' -- and the work will be done by his word, not by angels who have the power for this work, as if a king should command and say, 'Let those who are shut up, go forth!' -- and his servants should lead them out, not by their own power, but at his voice.  In another place, Christ says: 'He shall send his angels with a great trumpet and they shall gather their elect from the four winds, from the boundaries of heaven' (Matthew 24, 31).  You will see angels hastening in every direction.  I consider the 'archangel' to be preeminent, and he will cry out to the angels who are sent out: 'Do, that all may may be prepared, for the Judge is present.'  Now, what does, 'at the final trumpet', mean?  This shows that there will be many trumpets, and it is with the last that the Judge will descend.  'And the dead who are in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air, and thus we shall be with the Lord forever.  Therefore, console each other with these words.'  But if he is about to descend, why shall we be 'caught up'?  The reason is one of honor.  When a king comes to a city, those who are in honor go forth to meet him.  Those who are at trial or are condemned wait inside the city for judgment.