1 Thessalonians 4:15,18

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died…So encourage each other with these words.

The Thessalonian church lived with the expectation that Jesus might return at any moment. This inevitably triggered lots of questions. It did so then and has done so ever since. The particular issue that Paul addressed in this chapter is what would happen to those who had already died. He made it clear that they will rise from their graves, while those who are still alive when Jesus returns will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then “we will be with the Lord forever” (v17). He doesn’t go into any more detail than that. The important point to recognise is that Paul saw his words as an encouragement. In truth, they didn’t need to know exactly what the programme or timetable of events for that day would look like, and neither do we. What we do need to know is that God has it all in hand, and he can be trusted to look after the future.

I believe it is good for us to live with the daily recognition that today might be the day of the Lord’s return. This was deeply instilled in me as a child and, to be honest, I found it quite scary at the time. When I couldn’t find my mother, I would immediately assume that the Lord had returned, and I’d been left behind. But Paul’s intention was not to scare anyone. He wanted to give everyone the encouragement of knowing that the future was is utterly secure in God’s hands. I would love you to have that security today – whether the Lord returns later on today or in 1,000 years.

Question

How important is the return of Jesus in your daily life?

Prayer

Lord God, thank you that I need have no fear as I look to the future. I place myself and my future in your loving hands. Amen