Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, January 31, 2016

This Week’s Devotional Focus is, “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.”

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

When the Bible records that we should comfort one another with “these words,” we should pull up a seat and pay close attention. In what words should we find courage today?

I will not go into the entire historical context that necessitated the writing of our theme text, but suffice it to say that there was a hot debate about the resurrection during Paul’s time. When people die, will they stay dead, or will they be raised to life again? In these verses in particular, what will happen to those who love God after they die?

Paul begins this portion of his letter by encouraging believers not to be ignorant or hopeless when our loved ones who also love the Lord go to sleep in Him (death is like a dreamless sleep). In the same way Jesus died and miraculously arose from death, those who die and have faith in Him will also be raised in due time. What time? When Jesus returns as He promised He would, He is going to make such an loud and joyful noise that His trumpet blast will awaken all of His deceased saints, no matter how long they have been asleep. He will not leave this job to anyone else. The same One who promised to go away and prepare a place for His people (John 14:1-3), will likewise return to receive us unto Himself, so that wherever He is, we will be also.

But wait; there’s more! Those of us who continue in His love, and will not have died by the time He returns (He’s coming soon, you know), will be carried up miraculously to have a reunion with the newly resurrected saints in the air. What does that mean? I am so glad you asked. If your favorite cousin Cecelia loved the Lord and passed away due to complications related to cancer 20 years ago, and Jesus returns today, she, all the sleeping saints, and the saints who are alive when Jesus arrives will all be caught up together to meet Him in the air. That is to say, nobody who died in the Lord and is now awaiting the resurrection will go to heaven without you. Nobody who has been awaiting Jesus’ arrival and never tastes of death will leave a sleeping saint in the grave. We will all hear the blessed announcement of Jesus’ arrival and meet Him together. What a glorious day that will be. One day soon, we will finally be able to meet our loving Saviour who gave all just so He could give us eternal life and be with Him wherever He is. No wonder Paul said that we should encourage each other with these words!

Are you ready for Jesus to come? If not, what’s preventing you from being ready? Is it worth it? Is it worth missing out on such an incredible day when people just like you, who have had struggles just like you will finally meet their God and Friend in person? Don’t miss out. Jesus wants you to be where He is.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)