Three Things

Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: ¹³Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. ¹⁴We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷After 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. ¹⁸Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Reflection: This is overwhelming. There have been countless books written and sermons preached on the truths contained in this brief passage. So I’ll just touch on three things.

1) I am to overcome my ignorance regarding Biblical truth. There’s a lot about the Bible I don’t know. In fact, there’s a lot I’m content to not know. It’s far easier to stay ignorant than to learn. I’ll change that attitude.

2) Christ will come again. I don’t know how it will look or when it will be. This passage tries to give some description. I tend to think that, as Jesus sort of snuck into the world the first time, He just might do that again. A lot of people say they know what to expect. I do not. I only know at some point, in His timing, Jesus Christ will return to Earth. For my part, I’ll keep myself ready.

3) “And so we will be with the Lord forever.” When all is said and done, in Christ, I live with this promise. If we put our faith in Him, we’ll be fine – no matter what happens. Neither my ignorance nor my sin will nullify that promise. Those are very encouraging words.