Back in February 2006, right around Easter time i wrote a devotional for our church about comfort and death. In light of the trials I have faced and talking about death and its reality...I though I share this with my blogging family. Interesting how what we write two years prior has impact today!
While sitting at my desk considering a topic for this letter, I find myself thinking about the brevity of our lives. The simple fact is that one day our bodies will cease to work, and we will be in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Death - the one thing feared most by the human race, the one thing mankind seems obsessed with avoiding. We exercise; we diet; we color our hair; and we try to remove wrinkles. Why? A desire to hide the inevitable: Every one of us is in the process of dying.
We can’t outrun it; we can’t hide from it; and we can’t avoid it. What are we to do with it? Paul discussed death with the Thessalonians. I think it would do us well to remember his words:
“But we do not want you to be uniformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep 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, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall 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)
Typically, when we read or hear those words, we are doing so in reference to the rapture. However, I think there is a more practical aspect to consider with this inspired writing.
Consider these questions:
Why did Paul write those words? Was he seeking to present a defense for a Pre-Wrath-Rapture of the church? I don’t think so. Paul’s primary purpose was to provide his readers with comfort in the face of death. Paul wanted these Christians to be properly informed about the inevitable reality of death.
Why does Paul want me to be properly informed about death? This answer is twofold: To ensure that I would not grieve without hope (v13) and also to enable me to comfort others who are in the process of grieving (v18).
What is involved in being properly informed about death so as to not grieve hopelessly? I must understand the absolute potential and process of the resurrection (v14-17).
My fellow believers in Jesus Christ, take comfort in this truth: To die in Christ is not the end. The Lord will most definitely descend form heaven. When the Lord descends from heaven, you most definitely will rise to meet him in the air. You will most definitely be with Him forever.
Please make it a point to comfort one another with this truth.