1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
Brothers, 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. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For 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. After that, we who are still alive and 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. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
A Thought
Paul is encouraging the believers to lead a quiet life and to work with their hands while showing a deep love for their brothers. Paul gives them assurance there is no need to grieve for their brothers when they face death because they will all be joined back together in the clouds when they all meet Christ in the air to be with the Lord forever. This hope is still true for all of us today as believers in Christ. We will all be joined back together with Christ at the appointed time. Be encouraged and comforted with these words, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your love and for giving all who will accept redemption through the shed blood of Jesus the Christ his hope of being forever joined with our loved ones and most of all with Christ. Help us to live our lives in honor and service to you and others that we may be found worthy at the sound of the trumpet call. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
