Reflections from Morning Devotions

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen 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.[a]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.

This passage is often referred to only in the course of discussion regarding end times. But in reading these verses this morning, I think (and, of course, this is nothing new) there is great application to be made in time of death. We say that we do not grieve as those who have no hope, but we don't always look at the context of the passage to see why. Paul tells us that our hope is in the return of Christ, whether asleep (dead) or awake (alive). All those in Christ will be caught up to meet Him.

And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.