We saw in our last visit, as Christians we have a blessed hope. If we’re alive when Christ returns we’ll be raptured. If we die before then we’ll be resurrected.
1st Thessalonians 4:15-17 declares, “According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven…and the dead in Christ will rise first. 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.” There’s no advantage to die first or to be alive at Christ’s return. We’ll all be together with the Lord forever. That’s our hope.
Christ’s coming will be sudden. There’ll be “a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” In that moment “the Lord himself will come down from heaven.” Simultaneously the bodies of those who died in Christ will rise first. Then those still alive on earth will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The bodies of those who died in Christ will be reunited with their spirits and souls. “And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
All believers will face this someday. Is your hope secure? Allow these words to prepare you for that day and comfort you.
