Image from youtube.com of a Dallas Holm song, Rise Again.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The Apostle Paul saw and heard things that he shared throughout his ministry here on the earth. It was a needed message for many, especially those Christians who had lost loved ones to persecution and execution. Their question was, "When is Jesus coming back?" Along with, "Why did my loved one have to die in this way?" Paul shares the above passage so that believers would know in Whom they truly believe; Jesus the Christ, the author and perfecter of life, the giver of life eternal. Paul knows that when the Lord returns, those who have died in Christ will accompany Him and we will see them, then we will be joined in the clouds with them, "and so we will be with the Lord for ever." And the passage closes with, "Therefore encourage one another with these word."
With all the deaths we see on TV, or read about in news notices, there has to be an encouraging word. The word is not easily accepted, especially by those parents who lost little children, or spouses, or parents; but the truth remains; we will see one another again. Death is not the end. Death is a part of life, and it is but a door that leads from this life to a better life.
This past Sunday we remembered those who have died in the past year as part of our All Saints Day worship services; and the message is clear for those who have lost loved ones, the day will come when we will see our loved ones again. For now, we have a story to share about Jesus, so that they may come to full knowledge of Him and His saving grace.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we pray again for those mourning and grieving. Make clear the message from You that those who have died in You will rise again, and those of us alive in You will never die. Bless me with encouragement and hope; and let it be something that we share with others. We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Encourage one another about the promises of Jesus!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: I pray for yours truly as I'm fighting (again) a cold or allergies. It's not fun, but your prayers will help. May the Lord bless and keep you.
