Words of Comfort {1 Thessalonians 4}
It seems everywhere I look I see dire predictions about the upcoming date, September 23. Supposedly the sun will be in the constellation Virgo (the virgin), along with the moon near Virgo's feet. Additionally, Jupiter will be in Virgo, while the planets Venus, Mars, and Mercury will be above and to the right of Virgo in the constellation Leo. Some people claim that this a fulfillment of a sign given in Revelation 12:1-2, "And a great sign appeared in heaven: a women clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth." These events are supposed to cause death and destruction, ushering in the Rapture, the beginning of the tribulation, and the end of the world. It is the latest among a long string of failed predictions used to conjure fear and panic in the heart of Christians everywhere. But here in 1 Thessalonians four when Paul speaks of death and the Rapture, his words are used for comfort and hope.
The Thessalonian believers, who knew through Paul's teaching that Christ would indeed return, struggled with questions not only about the fate of those who died before Jesus came back, but about those who were still alive on that glorious day. Paul tackles first the subject of death with, "We do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus Himself died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." (vs. 13-14) I love how Paul uses "asleep" to describe death. For Christians death isn't a final destination, but rather a beautiful transition from this world to heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:8 tells us that "To be absent from the body [is] to be home with the Lord." What a wonderful declaration! After all, isn't that our hope? Not only to see our loved ones again, but to be with our Lord and Savior for all of eternity! And that's just what Paul wants us to remember so that unlike unbelievers who grieve with no hope, we have the assurance of the promises of God.
Next Paul goes on to describe what will happen when Jesus returns for His church. "The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." Jesus will bring with Him the spirits of those who died as believers. Their bodies will rise and be reunited with their spirits, and they will receive new glorified bodies. And those who are alive will be gathered directly into His presence, and also receive new glorified bodies. This is known as the Rapture and is the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made in John 14:1-3 to prepare a place where we will be with Him forever. And in God's perfect timing, Jesus will come for us and take us to our eternal home.
Could there be a more wonderful promise? In our new glorified bodies, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk. No more will we experience pain, sickness, or decay. Our bodies will be perfect in every way! Paul ends with this encouragement, "Comfort one another with these words." (v. 18) Even though "we do not know the day nor the hour" (Matt. 25:13) of Jesus' return, we know He is returning. So "lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28), and cry, Maranatha, Maranatha!