A Great Comfort

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
                                                                         1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

In this passage, Paul writes for us some great words of comfort. As followers of Christ, we have a grand hope that we can take comfort in. We know that even if death takes hold that there is still an assured hope that lies ahead of us.

If we believe in the words recorded for us in the bible we can receive a great comfort in knowing that we will see those who have passed on before us, who have held onto that same faith in Jesus and that same obedience to God.

We know that Jesus overcame death and has provided a way for us to also overcome death. We believe that Christ will return for us, but not just for those of us who still walk on the earth, but for all who have been faithful to Him. Every faithful Christian shall be raised into the air to meet with our Lord.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.
                                                                         Romans 6:8-9.

Those who die in Christ - those who are faithful followers of our Lord and Saviour - will be able to live with Jesus. The true believers will receive that reward that we hope for; we will gain that wondrous home in heaven where we can live with our God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Isn’t that a great comfort!

                -- John Thrower Jr.