But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
I often miss those who have gone into Jesus’ presence before more. It saddens me that they are not with me. Their advice, love, and care are lost to me. I am poorer without them. Even so, I am not grieving without hope. Those who are safe in Jesus will return with them. They have gone ahead of us and they will be changed before us.
Jesus will administer the transformation with a shout. As He descends signaling His return, those who have died waiting for Him sill rise first to meet Him in their resurrection and be immediately followed by those living believers who are waiting for Him too. And we will always be together with the Lord.
That is our great comfort. There will come a day when we will be with our loved in Christ without end. We should always remind each other of this. Our hope is in Christ. It brings me joy in my grieving – I will see my loved ones again. My grief does not consume me because I know it will end but my relationship with those in Christ will not.
Caught Up Together,
Pastor Jason
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