Tag: Philippians 1:21-23
Resurrection world view
Scripture reading for September 17: 1 Thessalonians 4
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, 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 fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a Word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Most of the world looks at death as a finality. Jews and Christians believe in a resurrection, final judgment, and afterlife. Hinduism teaches reincarnation based on how we live now. Muslims believe that if they please their god, he will give them seventy virgins to spend eternity with. Those serving various gods and idols devise theories about what life after death might be like if they meet the religious criteria. Atheists feel that death is final and everyone should live as they will.
Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, sought to give them a clear understanding of what happens to believers who have died. In another place, Paul stated that believers soul and spirit go immediately into the Lord’s presence awaiting the resurrection of their bodies at Christ’s return. (Philippians 1:21-23) He likened the current state of their body to sleep. Jesus died and His body was buried in a tomb. God raised Him from death on the third day. Jesus gave Paul this Word to share concerning those believers who died and His return again to receive believers. There would be a loud shout from Heaven and the sound of a trumpet awakening those asleep and those waiting alike to Jesus’ glorious return. Those whose bodies were ‘asleep’ in death would rise first. Then those waiting in faith would also be ‘caught up’ to meet the Lord in the air together with those asleep. All believers would always be with the Lord! This Word of Truth was to be encouraging to all believers for all time!
Have you ever wondered about what happens to believers at death? Have you used this passage to develop your own world view of death and resurrection? Will you use this passage of God’s Word to encourage others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for expanding my world view into eternal life with Jesus Christ. I await with great hope the loud shout of an archangel and the trumpet call from heaven calling me to meet Jesus in the air, whether awake or asleep! Amen!