“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…” (1 Thess. 4:16 NKJ).
Israel of old had three kinds of shouts. All three could adequately be represented in this particular verse.
First, there was a vintage shout. During the period of the judges, Hebrew life was very precarious. Due to the uncertainties of life, no one was really sure of seeing a crop all the way through from planting seed to threshing grain. Gathering in a bountiful harvest became a cause for rejoicing. In our verse, Jesus could be giving a vintage shout because the harvest of souls is finally being reaped and gathered into the garner (James 5:7).
Israel also had a nuptial shout. This happy, joyful shouting occurred during wedding festivities (Is.62:5). At His coming to redeem His Bride, the Church, and to proclaim the wedding feast of the Lamb, Christ may give forth a nuptial shout of joy.
Finally, there was a shout of war. This was the jubilant war cry given during battle in confident anticipation of victory. In the original Greek text, the word translated shout is keleuma (kel’-yoo-mah) or “shout of war.” It includes incitement (“Gather My saints together to Me….”) (Ps.50:5 NKJ) and command (“Satan, step aside, I am coming through your territory to receive My Church!”).
The Second Coming of Christ will involve conflict, but once the Lord leaves heaven and descends with the shout of victory, the battle is over right then. The next verse joyfully declares, “…And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (v. 17 NKJ). Hallelujah!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.