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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
So often, in difficult times of human loss, we struggle with "what to say". It is amazing and marvelous that our loving, gracious Lord has so clearly and succinctly given us the solution for that dilemma. Can anything be more clear, in our understanding of language, than the clear teaching to "COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS"?
The step by step occurrence of the appearing of the Lord in the air, to receive His blood - bought children, is called the Rapture, taken from the word meaning 'snatched away'. Those believers, who have died in Christ will first come out of the graves. Those believers who still live will join those from the graves along with the Lord in the air. This incredible meeting in the air, according to this passage above in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, will occur in an instant, in the 'twinkling of an eye'. Until that instant, which perhaps may be this very day, the confidence and hope of the believer in Christ is in the promise of God, that we shall be reunited with our redeemed loved ones, never again to know the sorrow of pain or parting. There will be an eternal future of bliss, basking in the very Presence of Christ, our Lord and Savior. We will be P.E.R.F.E.C.T, in that we will know:
Perfect peace
Eternal fulfillment
Rejoicing in the presence of Christ
Freedom from sorrow, disappointment, or pain
Eternal pleasures in fellowship with Christ and loved ones
Complete safety, security, and satisfaction
Total contentment
Psalm 16:11 "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 17:15. "As for me,I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall besatisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
What blessed comfort!!!!!
(C) 1988, 1991,1999, 2013 N. A. Collins
- Excerpts taken from TO GLORIFY GOD book-
Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
So often, in difficult times of human loss, we struggle with "what to say". It is amazing and marvelous that our loving, gracious Lord has so clearly and succinctly given us the solution for that dilemma. Can anything be more clear, in our understanding of language, than the clear teaching to "COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS"?
The step by step occurrence of the appearing of the Lord in the air, to receive His blood - bought children, is called the Rapture, taken from the word meaning 'snatched away'. Those believers, who have died in Christ will first come out of the graves. Those believers who still live will join those from the graves along with the Lord in the air. This incredible meeting in the air, according to this passage above in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, will occur in an instant, in the 'twinkling of an eye'. Until that instant, which perhaps may be this very day, the confidence and hope of the believer in Christ is in the promise of God, that we shall be reunited with our redeemed loved ones, never again to know the sorrow of pain or parting. There will be an eternal future of bliss, basking in the very Presence of Christ, our Lord and Savior. We will be P.E.R.F.E.C.T, in that we will know:
Perfect peace
Eternal fulfillment
Rejoicing in the presence of Christ
Freedom from sorrow, disappointment, or pain
Eternal pleasures in fellowship with Christ and loved ones
Complete safety, security, and satisfaction
Total contentment
Psalm 16:11 "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 17:15. "As for me,I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall besatisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
What blessed comfort!!!!!
(C) 1988, 1991,1999, 2013 N. A. Collins
- Excerpts taken from TO GLORIFY GOD book-
Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
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