With The Lord Forever

“According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

Jesus had spoken these words of encouragement. Paul now applies them to the situation faced by the church at Thessalonica. He’s coming again! Jesus himself will come down from heaven for His people. There will be a loud command. The voices of the archangel will be heard. The trumpet call of God will sound forth. Our brothers and sisters in Christ, including some of our mothers and father, will be raised. Jesus will come down to the clouds. Christians still alive will join with newly resurrected Christians to meet the Lord up in the air and be with Him forever.

Take a moment to prayerfully meditate on these phrases –

“the Lord Himself will come down”

“the dead in Christ will rise”

“to meet the Lord in the air”

“we will be with the Lord forever”

Paul’s words, inspired by God, have much to say to Skyline as well as Thessalonica. A prayer time focusing on these phrases alone can stretch out as we comprehend God’s plan for us and consider our future with Him. What a joy it is to talk to God about the future we have with our loved ones, even those we have buried.

But there is something we have to notice about these words. They were meant for sharing. While they make good material for personal devotional time, they were designed to be spoken for the benefit of others. “Therefore encourage each other with these words” 1 Thessalonians 4:18. So take time to meditate on the return of Jesus, the reunion with loved ones, the rising up to meet the Lord and the remaining with Him forever. But don’t forget to lift a brother or sister with these words of encouragement!

Bob Clark

5/23/2001