“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 Thess. 4:13-18). Have you ever thought, “what would happen if Jesus would come back this very moment?” According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, three things would happen.
1. If Jesus would come back this very moment, there would be a resurrection. The Bible says, “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” (1 Thess. 4:16). The bodies of the saints would be raised and reunited with their souls.
2. There would be a rapture. Scripture states, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). Believers will be instantly changed and caught up.
3. There would be a reunion. It goes on to say, “Shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 14:17b). Love ones, friends and saints of all ages would be reunited. What a reunion it will be.
The best thing will be that we will always be with the Lord.
“And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17c).
This old chorus reminds us that Jesus may come at any time.
“Jesus may come in the morning, Jesus may come at noon; Jesus may come in the ev’ning, So keep your heart in tune.”
Thought for the week: Jesus may come at any moment.
Prayer for the week: Pray that everyone in Madill will be ready when Jesus comes.