The message was brought by Rev. Rodger Castle.
Paul built the church in Thessalonica; here he is talking to them about the second coming. Even in the first century they expected the Lord to return. Now we’re in the 21st century and not too many believe it. The people were concerned that their loved ones who had already gone on would miss out when the Lord returned. Paul was there to tell them not to worry.
I Thessalonians 4: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
To be ignorant means to be uninformed. Paul told them not to worry about their people who had died. When our loved ones die in the Lord, they are in the presence of the Lord. I believe they have a body of some kind. We know they are in God’s presence because the Bible says there is rejoicing in the presence of God when a person is saved. That’s not the angels. It’s our loved ones. They are resting from their labors and waiting on us to join them. The next thing to happen on God’s calendar is the return of Christ to take the church out of this world. When he comes, he’ll bring our loved one who died in the Lord with him. The time will come when God says it’s enough. Jesus himself will come for us. The dead in Christ will raise first meaning that a glorified body will rise and reunite with the soul. Those who are alive will be changed, and we’ll all meet the Lord in the air. Too many times we leave verse 18 off, but it’s too good to leave off. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. It’s a comfort to know the Lord is coming for us. We’ll be reunited with our loved ones. What a time! If you’re not saved when it happens, you won’t have time to get saved. It will happen too fast—in the twinkling of an eye.
The world will be in havoc for a period of time. Vast numbers will die from the devastation. It will be unlike any other time. We’ll be gone. We’ll be presented to the Father as the Bride of Christ and join in the Marriage Supper. The Son of God, Jesus himself, will serve us. The judgment will have already happened. We’re not saved by works, but our works will be rewarded. Picture a balance with what is required of us is on one side. On the other side will be what is left of our works after having gone through the refiner’s fire. Will you have anything to give to the Lord? God will rate our commitment to him and reward us accordingly for what we’ve done since we were saved.
In the book of John, Jesus said let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. He was talking to his disciples on the last night of his earthly life. Back in that day a woman was espoused to a man. It is similar to an engagement today, but there was a formal ceremony. The woman went back to her home to prepare for the wedding day. She dedicated herself to her husband to be and preparations to become his wife. The man went back to his father’s house to build a place for him and his bride to live. When the time came, the man would go for his wife. He took friends with him in case the woman’s family refused to release her. They would fight for the groom. She belonged to him. The devil won’t be able to stop the Lord from taking us when he comes for his bride.
In Revelation 21 John wrote and I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This is our home. We’ll have access to the universe. God will wipe away our tears. There will be no more death, no more pain. Former things will pass away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
When Jesus was on the cross, he said it is finished. Here God said it is done. We will enjoy eternity forever. We can rejoice now because our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I’m not worthy of what God does for me now, and I’m not worthy for what is waiting for me. God just loves us so much. Jesus didn’t hesitate in coming to die for us. He didn’t say we weren’t worth it.
Wouldn’t you like to take your family with you? Isn’t there one person you’d like to see saved? Don’t you want to take someone to heaven with you? If you’re not saved, now is the time to get saved.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 