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p282 [W Kelly] DEAR BROTHER, - I forgot to notice 1 Thessalonians 4 Sir E. Denny raised the question on some statement of Trotter's, and was even anxious about it, which I was not. All were agreed as to doctrine. I have long hesitated over the passage, having thought of bringing the souls back, bringing them up from the dead, and their coming with Christ with the rest when He appears You will remark that it is God brings with Him, not Christ, this had rather long ago made me hesitate if it was not God raising them as Christ (the συν would be as συζήσομεν): they will be brought from the dead as much as, and as Jesus. However, on the whole, I am disposed to think it is "bring with Him" when He comes and appears, the result of their resurrection. They will not be absent, or lose their place in the glorious appearing, no more than Jesus did by dying; they will rise first even. God's bringing them with Him is not out of the order of the apostle's thought; "which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate;" God shews the appearing of Jesus; so He brings the others and shews them with Him. But I am not prepared to dogmatise on it, nor to say as teaching, that is God's mind in the passage, at which Sir E. is astonished.

I have got on beautifully as far as this, but am rather obliged to travel like a gentleman.

Affectionately yours.

Paris, February 28th, 1853.

[53217E]

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