Series: Paul’s Letters
1 Corinthians 15:51 ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV
1 Timothy 6:12 ESV
Revelation 21:4 (No more tears)
1 Thessalonians 4:15b-18, The Message
What Paul thought in the first century (that Jesus would come soon). Led by the Spirit Paul gave us clues. In 1 Corinthians 15:51 he wrote, “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”
Paul also told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
So, basically when Jesus will return is a mystery and everyone will be changed. WHEN it happens will be a surprise.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Paul expands on what will happen at the moment Jesus returns, “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. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
When I was first married in my early twenties a movie came out that I loved and hated and was a little freaked out over. I had read scriptures about the end times and the return of Jesus but the movies that came out made it seem so real.
I think I loved the movie “A Thief in the Night” because it made the second coming of Jesus look and feel real.
I think I hated the movie “A Thief in the Night” because it was scary. I am not a fan of thriller
movies. I do not ever watch horror movies (even comedy horror). I couldn’t even watch Night Gallery without having nightmares.
Even years after watching the movie I felt frightened when I thought about it.
So, here’s the catch…I do not think the Second Coming will be scary.
That’s because for the whole of my life God has always prepared me for what lies ahead. I either have dreams, visions, or a really strong feeling about what God is about to do.
I believe God will prepare believers for the Second Coming.
As I’ve aged I’ve come to believe that regardless of what happens or what it will look like, when we stay tuned into God, “He’s got is all covered.”
If it happens today, it’s all covered for every believer who is tuned into God.
If it happens in my lifetime, it will be all covered.
Part of the reason I believe that is because scripture tells us in, 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
The truth is that every day we are all one step closer to the time when Jesus will return. We do not know when that will be, but when we keep our eyes on Jesus and we are fighting the good fight every day, we are one day closer to seeing Jesus than we were yesterday.
I can honestly say that I cannot remember a time when Jesus was not with me. I was very very young when I knew Jesus loved me and I loved Jesus (like 3 years old).
For the same reason, I’ve always known that whatever Jesus does and when He does it’s irrelevant. That’s because God is in charge and I am not.
I used to tell my dad I think heaven sounds like a pretty cool place. I’m not afraid to go there. I know those who have gone before are there and I will see them again.
I know I will be with God/Jesus and there will be no more tears (Revelation 21:4).
I don’t often think of when Jesus will return like I did when I was young. Instead I sit with God whenever I get the chance.
Sitting with God brings me great peace and joy.
Instead of being unsure and afraid I think when the time comes those who are tuned into God will experience incredible peace and joy and in an instant the love of God will overcome any fear we might have had.
I think it will be very beautiful and organic.
That’s because I’ve learned that God really does have ‘it’ all covered.
In the interim I remember that “We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words” (The Message, 1 Thessalonians 4:15b-18).
…and it will be marvelous!
Spiritual Practice: Tune In
Spend time in silence with God. You do not always need words. Remember, God is in the silence.
In God, Deborah
Comentarios