I grew up and am of a generation where working was what we did. At times it was stressful with deadlines and what seemed like not enough hours to get everything done. Life for many seems so empty. Get up, go to work, fight the traffic, come home, and go to bed, then get up and do it all over again.
Many ask the question, Do I really have anything to look forward to?
There is great insecurity about the future. Even as believers we are not immune from the turmoil that changing times and uncertainty bring regarding the future. Yet, as believers, we have certainty about the future.
We have reasons to hope and in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we read-
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
In Thessalonica, there were many who were concerned about friends and family that had died and what would happen to them. Paul knew about the Lord’s return and he gave them a clear and forthright answer to their concerns.
Now it is important to understand that we will all die and go into eternity. That eternity can be in one of two places. One is with the Lord and the other is with Satan. Eternity for each person ever born began the day they were born. There is life here on earth and then eternal life in one of the two places I mentioned a moment ago.
In order to be clear as to the end of our life on earth, I just spoke of a person dying and what happens to them. The only thing that could preclude death, as we know it, is the return of Jesus Christ. We know as Christians that our Savior is coming back. To receive His bride, the church, and then after the Great Tribulation to set up a 1,000-year reign. There may be some who will read this and disagree with my understanding of the Scripture in relation to the end times. There has always been, and until that event occurs, those who will disagree. However, for the sake of the subject at hand, please take the opportunity to input your own thoughts as to the scriptures relating to this matter. Ultimately, that will not change the premise of the blog today.
And as Paul continued, he shared about some things we know and things we don’t. Paul said in
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 that-
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
-he told them that the exact times and dates are not known
-he said we don’t know when the day will come but when it does it will be like a thief in the night
-he was bold in his response because Jesus makes the difference
In 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10, we read that-
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Paul spoke as he does so often in his letters about faith, love, and hope. Look again at verse 9
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Yet, we are all in need of being encouraged and comforted and Paul reminds us that we need to help others be confident in verse 11
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
As believers we are:
-encouraged by the reality of Jesus' resurrection and His promised return
-have no need to know the specific date of Christ's return to have confidence
-express our confidence in the Lord’s return by demonstrating faith, love, and hope
-help others have confidence about the future
Have a great day and wherever you are be sure to worship with others this Sunday. If you're in the Gainesville, FL area, come join us at Northwest Baptist Church at 10:30AM. For directions go to www.myNWchurch.com
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy