“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NKJV)

The apostles expected that Christ will return while they were still alive. Paul have the same notion in the early part of his ministry when he was rather young. The believers in Thessalonica held the same belief thus, when some of those in their church had died, they became anxious. They worried that those who died would not share in Christ’s return. Paul assured them that they will share in Christ’s return just as they share in his death and resurrection.

Believers who have died, are far from being at a disadvantage, for they will be raised to life first. And those who are still alive will join them, and together they will meet Christ and be with him forever. We have the same assurance today, whether dead or alive we shall be with the Lord. We should see death as the beginning of something new not a tragic end. This is Christian hope! Be comforted!

Sources:

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.

Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020

http://www.biblegateway.com

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

Friend of a Jewish Carpenter. View all posts by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged