On the death of a loved one often our Christian faith cannot entirely overcome the sense of loss, but it can help our outlook. As Paul wrote, "We do not grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope." But when you love deeply, you hurt deeply. Apparently several deaths had occurred in the church at Thessalonica. The Christians there thought Christ would return long before anything like that could happen. Paul assured them and us that our loved ones have only gone on ahead of us and will return with Christ. When they do, they will receive a new resurrection body like Christ's. These verses are one of the greatest passages in the New Testament, regarding the events at Christ's return. Read it aloud and slowly to help you grasp the wonder of it all. It is the next event on God's calendar. Instant resurrection for the dead in Christ will be followed by instant change and instant transfer from earth to heaven for those believers still on earth. Paul did use the word "sleep" as some teach. But it refers only to the body which is often laid away in a cemetery - literally, a sleeping place. Paul said in comparing life here and the life beyond, that death would be a gain (Philippians 1:21). He would hardly speak of it that way if it only meant the soul would stay asleep in the buried body. For us Christians, dying means going to be with Christ. And if He comes before our death, we will still go directly into His presence. What a future for us all! Can we pray for a renewed emphasis in our pulpits and in our hearts concerning the return of Jesus Christ? It is the one truth we must never lose sight of. |
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