The Hope we Have

Jesus’ resurrection is a hope to all Christians that death is not the end. Paul’s letter to the early Christians of Thessalonica talked about rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul talks to early Christians that just like Jesus who is risen those Christians who have died will rise again. Note Paul used the words fallen asleep, this is because it is temporary. This gives me great comfort to know I will see my loved ones again that have died and that I will spend eternity in heaven.

The first ones that come to mind for me is my parents. Both of my parents received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, both have passed away. In verse 14 Paul tells us that ,” For 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”. Once my parents passed away their spirit and soul went to heaven to a temporary body. Their earthly body is in the grave. Some day it will be risen when Jesus comes back for them. I will also be in this group unless Jesus returns before I die.

Verse 16 tells us how the rapture will be ushered in.

16 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. Then those who are Christians and still alive with meet Christ in the air. Wow!!!!

Talk about encouraging. Paul tells us to encourage us with these words on verse 18.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

These words are encouraging to those of us that have put our faith and trust in what Jesus Christ did on the cross when He shed his blood for the price of our sins. If you haven’t made that decision please don’t wait. Send me a message if you want to find out what you need to do to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For 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. 15 According to the Lord’s 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. 16 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. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.