The Hope Of Christ's Return

From: jesuseconomy.org

Jesus is coming again. This incredible hope should prompt us to be people dedicated to making our world a better place—to the service of Jesus.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Reflect on 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18:

“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” (ESV).

The great controversy surrounding this passage—and the arguments for or against the “rapture”—has led many people to lose sight of what this passage is all about. It’s about Jesus coming again as victor—to fully inaugurate his reign. And the theme of the overall book—how Christians should live for Jesus—suggests that Paul speaks of this matter to both inform and inspire the Thessalonian Christians. He actually makes this point clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:18: “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Paul’s point is not to create controversy or arguments—or to make it so that we can know precisely what will happen, in what order, upon Jesus’ return. Paul’s point is encouragement. And this encouragement is rooted in what is often overlooked in this passage—the resurrection of the dead.

First Thessalonians 4:13–15 shows that explaining the resurrection of the dead is Paul’s aim. Jesus’ return will bring about the resurrection of the dead. Thus, we do not need to worry for Christians who have died. This is Paul’s encouragement: Christ is victor over all of this world and all of this life, including death.

Resurrection glory will come to all who believe (compare 1 Corinthians 15:52–55; Daniel 12:2). Jesus’ resurrection makes it possible for all who believe to be resurrected.

Furthermore, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 shows the power of Jesus over evil. When Jesus arrives to earth as King, in all his glory, believers will be forcibly united with Jesus—evil forces will not be able to stop this action.

Jesus’ victory cannot be stopped. It should inspire us to take actions on Jesus’ behalf. It should make us believe that we can do all things through Jesus (Philippians 4:12–15). It should make us love more fully and truly—for love is what mends God’s plans together. Upon the clouds as victor Jesus will come.

In what ways does Jesus’ return inspire you and comfort you? What actions is God asking you to take today—on his behalf?