He’s Coming!
By Susan Klein
“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 are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The apostle Paul had sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen the church in Thessalonica that he had established on his second missionary journey. Timothy returned with a report for Paul that must have included some concerns from the people there that prompted Paul to write this letter. Were they concerned that perhaps they had missed the Lord’s coming? And what about their relatives who had died prior to Christ’s resurrection?
Paul attempts to put their minds at ease by giving an account of the “rapture (being caught up),” and future coming of Christ. He encourages them by telling them that their forefathers will surely rise first and that they will then meet them and the Lord in the air. He also explains that this will be preceded by a loud command in the voice of the archangel and a trumpet call, which they had not witnessed. He goes on in his letter to explain that they should not be caught up in worry about the time and date, rather to focus on being alert, self-controlled, and keeping faith and hope fastened tightly like armor. He doesn’t want to leave any stone left unturned, so he goes one step further to reassure them by stating that God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation, and that we should encourage one another with these words.
Are you encouraged by these words? Are you anxiously and confidently awaiting His return for you? Are you encouraging others with these words of hope? When the circumstances of life trouble you, are you clothing yourself with faith and hope? In case your mind is not completely put at ease, let me end with Paul’s words from the end of the letter (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24): May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and he will do it! (The exclamation mark is mine for emphasis!)
GOING DEEPER:
1. What uncertainties might you struggle with that you need reassurance for? Will you go to His Word to seek comfort? Do you know for sure that “He IS coming for you”?!!
FURTHER READING:
2 Thessalonians
Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.
