1 Thessalonians 4:18 – “Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.”
Such is God’s command to the church in the early days of the
spread of the gospel. You see, here in 1
Thessalonians, Paul is concerned about the thoughts and fears of the church
people there in Thessalonica. There were
some in the church, whether regulars in the church or just passing through,
that were teaching that once the believing loved ones of those believers in the
church died that there was no more after that.
They taught that there was no resurrection, but death was the end of it
all. There are many today who still
teach the same false teaching. Paul was
letting those believers in Thessalonica know that after this life comes the
resurrection. And if they were still
living at the end of the age, then they would meet their loved ones again in
the air.
He told the believers in verse 13, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” That was his concern. These false teachers were causing them to
lose hope – to sorrow – to feel they would not see their loved ones again. But in verse 14 he said, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” He is guaranteeing them, by the resurrection
of Christ, that those who have passed on will return with Him when He comes
back. He then assures them that their
bodies will be raised to meet their soul and spirit in the air. And then – and only then – we who are still
living will “be caught up together with them
in the clouds.” What a wonderful
promise!
These words are comforting, because we can be assured that
the resurrection will take place. Paul
makes a very strong argument for the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. We don’t have the time or space to quote the
whole chapter, but in verse 20 he says, “But
now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that
slept.” In verse 54 he assures them,
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” The resurrection is a fact!
These words are comforting, because we can be assured that
we will go to live with Him. Christ gave
the disciples the same comforting thoughts in John 14, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father’s house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also. (vv. 1-3)” And in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul reassures
the believers, “And so shall we ever be
with the Lord.”
These words are comforting, because we can be assured that
what God tells us in His Word will come to pass. Philippians 1:5, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We can trust in His Word – we can rejoice in
His Word – we can be confident in His Word.
It will be performed as He has promised.
"Lord, Thank you for the reality of the resurrection - not only your resurrection - but also our eventual resurrection. We can rest in the fact that one day, after death, our bodies will get up and spend eternity with you. Help us to be comforted daily in that thought. Amen."
