1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
I admit to you I have been wondering for the past 24 hours why these passages
are inserted just now. Paul has been speaking to them of their faith,
their love, and their hope as they go from day to day. He spoke of the
hardships of life. He spoke of being in the will of God as they walked
among people - even those people who followed idols of the world and cared
nothing about being God's will. In fact, the people they walked among cared
nothing for God; yet, Paul instructed them (by God's UNCHANGING Word) to
conduct themselves as representatives of Christ even among the
"heathen".
Now he turns to talking about that time when Christ shall return for them. Why
at this moment would he speak of the final resurrection of the bodies? I think
the older I get, the more I understand the reason. There are days when I feel
like Elijah of old - "Lord, I'm ready for you to take me home."
I'm reminded of a passage from the Psalms: "Like as a father
pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (14)
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Psalm
103:13-14) The Lord God understands our frustrations. He understands our
discouragements. He even understands our anger at things concerning this
world. It seems the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to insert at this point the
grand truth that this world is not our permanent home. But, while we are
living in this world, we are to be proper representatives of our Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Back in chapter 1, Paul spoke to these folks of the return of Christ.
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1Thessalonians
1:10) All throughout his writing, Paul would insert glimpses of the
eternal hope that lies ahead for the child of God. He did the same thing
for the Philippians as he described the troubles and trials of life.
"For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also
we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall
change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto
himself." (Philippians 3:20-21) Peter did the same for the strangers
to whom he wrote. They had been scattered because of persecution; yet Peter was
inspired to write to them of the grand and lively hope. "Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter
1:3-4)
Why are we to live in a different manner, talk in a different manner, and walk
in a different manner? Why should we respond to things of this world in a
different manner than the world responds? I will close with the words of
Jesus, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; (21) That they all may be one; as
thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: THAT
(emphasis mine) the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John
17:20-21) Next, the Lord willing, I will address the verses of
today, but today I just remind us to hold to God's unchanging hand. This
world isn't our home, so let us walk with the vision of the precious promise of
eternity with Christ.