Random Thoughts: 1 Thessalonians 4:17b

"... and so we will always be with the Lord." 1 Thes 4:17b

STOP AND 'SMELL' THE PASSAGE
If you haven't already, stop and contemplate this passage. Think about its implications. The context is Paul writing to the Thessalonians about the Second Advent of Christ. He does not want them to be uninformed and to grieve as others do who have no hope (4:13). As Christians, we do have hope ...

HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION
"For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." (v 14) We no longer fear death nor the wrath of God, for 'through Jesus' (dia tou Iesou) God will 'bring with him' those who have believed in him.

HOPE IN THE VICTORY OVER DEATH
"And the dead in Christ will rise ..." (v 16b) Death has no hold on us. Those who have died to self and died 'in Christ' will be made alive 'in Christ.' Christ is the firstfruit of this hope.

HOPE OF AN ETERNITY WITH CHRIST
"... and so we will always be with the Lord." (v 17b)

• "we" - this is a corporate hope and not simply something that happens to one person. It is not a "me and Jesus" but a "we and Jesus." All those who have believed in this hope will be there ...
• "always" - never ending, ever increasing! We will never again be separated from Christ and the redeemed. Picture it. Imagine it. 'Always" with the Lord.
• "the Lord" - though it is true that there will be loved ones there, and that pain will cease, and that death will be conquered, and that joy everlasting will be heaped upon us, and that eternal blessings will be stored up for us ...... the greatest treasure and the greatest delight is that Christ will be there, and we will "always be with the Lord."

HOW'S YOUR HOPE?

What are you hoping in? Do you long to be with the Lord? Do you long to be with him forever?