Articles
A Great Day Is Coming
We celebrate birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.. We take personal days to attend to pressing business. There are important days in the Bible. Passover, the Sabbath, the day Christ died, the first day of the week, and others, may hold great importance for Christians. There is another day we must not forget. The Apostle Paul wrote: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). The day the Lord will be a great day. Why?
When the Lord returns, the dead will be raised. Paul wrote to alleviate some of the fears the Thessalonians had about their loved ones who had already died. What would happen to those who had passed on. Paul gives them comfort by saying that their loved ones had hope in Christ. Some may sorrow and experience great loss, knowing that their loved ones were unprepared to die. But the Thessalonians could rejoice in the hope Christ gave (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul said their loved ones had fallen "asleep." Death is sleep for the Christian; it signifies a restful period and then a return to activity (Luke 16:19-31). The Thessalonians would naturally miss their loved ones, but they could find comfort in the Lord.
What gave them comfort? "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This is the foundation truth of the gospel. Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the grave on the third day. He is "the firstfruits" of those who are asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection assures us that we will one day be raised from the grave.
To further reassure the Thessalonians, Paul told them that the dead in Christ would rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:15). They should not doubt that their loved ones were in the presence of Jesus. When Christ returns, He will "descend from heaven with a shout." As an officer signals to his troops, the Lord's announcement is heard by all nations. The dead in Christ will come forth first. What about those still living? "Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Christ is not coming back to earth to reign. There is no mention of Christ ever setting foot on the earth again. He will return in judgment. At that last great day the righteous will, be ushered home to glory. This is comfort for the faithful. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 5:18). Yes, there is comfort in being a faithful Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. Are you ready?
