Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, June 16, 2018
Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-16-2018
This is devotional thought number 61 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”
“Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17, LEB).
After Paul invested a great deal of time encouraging those to whom he wrote, giving them the tools they needed to live holy lives, love God, love one another, and share the good news of Christ with those who didn’t know Him, he encouraged them about the resurrection.

As in any natural family, the family of believers often suffers the loss of loved ones. This was the case among the Thessalonians. Paul wanted them to know that the God of all comfort would give them hope as they looked forward to the day of Jesus’ appearing. We are sad when loved ones pass away, but we must not grieve like it’s the end of the story. Our loved ones who have surrendered their lives to God are just resting. They sleep in their graves awaiting the shout and trumpet of God to stir them awake at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. And, guess what else: those who have died will be joined in an awesome gravity-defying ride into the sky, and ultimately into the heavenly kingdom. God’s people who were dead will be resurrected and given immortal bodies. God’s people who are alive when Jesus comes will also receive immortal bodies. They, together, will ascend into eternal bliss and righteousness, never more to be assailed by the presence or effects of sin.

Take courage, dear friends, as you await our Lord’s appearing. “He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20, HCSB).

I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)