The joy of apantesis

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. - 1 Thess. 4:17

To Meet, apantesis

Definitions:
as an action of encountering
to come near to and to meet, ...the word was the official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary
Colin Brown, ed., New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: "The ancient expression for the civic welcome of an important visitor or the triumphal entry of a new ruler into the capital city and thus to his reign is applied to Christ. "Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord (eis apantesin tou Kyriou) in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." The same thoughts occur in the parable of the ten virgins. The virgins leave to meet the bridegroom (eis apantesin tou nymphiou) i.e. the Lord, to whom they wish to give a festive reception (Matt. 25:1).

This word apantesis occurs three times in the New Testament, first used in the parable of the ten virgins: "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him (i.e., welcome him in and celebrate his arrival)" (Matt. 25:6). The second time is when Paul was traveling and the disciples in Rome went out to to meet him and welcome him in.

Ah, then we have the 1 Thessalonians passage, where we (during the rapture) will welcome Him back and celebrate. We'll celebrate! This powerful word apantesis gives an idea of what part we will play in His magnificent return.

Praise God! Jesus is coming back. No Christmas celebration will equal the wild festivities of that day.