I want to thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to post the sermon this week. I have been feeling better some days and about the same other days. However, I believe that I am getting better as the days pass. Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon this week.
We have been studying the book of I Thessalonians for awhile now. Last time, we saw that Paul encouraged the believers to have love for one another. He encouraged them to grow in love. We also saw that we are to try as much as we can to be at peace with others so that we might be a good witness for the Lord Jesus in this world.
In our passage today, Paul starts out on a different topic. Apparently, there must have been some in the church who were wondering what was going to happen to those who had died before the coming of the Lord. Paul and the Apostles taught that Jesus could return at any moment. They expected Jesus to return soon. So, the people had legitimate questions about what would happen to those who had died.
Paul wanted to reassure the believers. He wanted to make sure that they knew that those who had died in Christ were just not dead and gone. When Jesus comes again to this earth, the dead in Christ will arise and meet the Lord in the air. Those still alive at the coming of the Lord will also meet the Lord in the air.
As we discuss this passage, let's start out by addressing the issue of what happens to a person who knows the Lord when that person dies. When a person dies, that person's soul goes immediately to be with the Lord Jesus. We know this from other passages in Scripture. For instance, Jesus told the thief on the cross that today, he would be with Jesus in paradise. When Jesus gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, these two men went immediately to their eternal destinies. The rich man went to Hell, and Lazarus went to Heaven.
Paul talks about what happens to the believer after death in other epistles. In I Corinthians 5:8, Paul tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. In Philippians 1:23, Paul is debating whether he should stay on earth or go to be with the Lord. He desired to go to be with Christ.
The Bible is very clear that people's souls do not sleep in the grave until Jesus returns. So, what is Paul saying? When Jesus returns, one of the things that will happen is that all those who have believed in Jesus will receive a glorified body like the glorified body of Jesus. One place in Scripture where this is spoken of is Philippians 3:21. We receive a glorified body at this time, because when Jesus returns to this earth, we will come with Him, and the Bible says that we will rule and reign with Christ on this earth.
Some people look at this passage as a text to support the belief in the rapture. I believe that this is talking about the rapture, but not in the way that many popular prophecy teachers teach. I believe that it is clear from the teaching of Jesus Himself, that He will come again. When He returns, He will judge the world at that time and set up His Kingdom that will have no end.
At the beginning of the Second Coming of Christ, the trumpet will sound. All of those who have ever believed in Jesus as Lord will be caught up and gathered behind the Lord as He comes back to earth. We will accompany Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That is a great day that I am looking forward to.
We will be forever with the Lord. Those have believed in Jesus need not fear death. Wherever Jesus is, that is where we will be too. We can encourage one another in these dark days with the knowledge that Jesus is coming, and He will make all things new.
The world is getting worse and worse. That is what the Bible said would happen. Often, things look bleak. However, Jesus Christ has overcome the world. He is coming. Place your trust in Him. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray that I will get to feeling better. I still have a ways to go before I am back to normal. Thank you.
Continue to pray for peace in the world. Ukraine, Syria, Yemen and Ethiopia all need our prayers. Wherever you know there is war, pray for peace.
Please pray for those in Puerto Rico who experienced another hurricane. Pray that they will receive the aid that they need. Also, pray for others in the path of this same storm system.
I know that Japan was hit by a bad storm. Pray for the people in Japan.
Continue to pray that the needs of the people of Pakistan will be met. I can't believe how terrible the floods where there.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those living in the nations of China and Morocco. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue with our current sermon series. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to have a midweek post. May God bless you all.
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