In 1 Thessalonians 4, we are exhorted as Christians to walk as believers should, not as the world, that we may be ready when the Lord returns. That we way may be among those saints who will be caught up in the air with Christ, which is called the rapture. So without further ado, let’s dive into God’s Word and see what Paul said. It is written, 1“for ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:2-10) So those of you that know God’s commandments and keep them, you are doing God’s will. You are loving the Lord God and also loving your neighbor as yourself, which are the two greatest commandments. You are not living in sin and going after the lusts of the flesh, but seeking Jesus, that His holiness will be a part of your life. This happens by way of the Holy Spirit. We are led from the evils of this world and unto God instead. These are those who will be ready when Jesus Christ, our Lord, returns.
Paul also speaks about Christ’s magnificent return, which could be very soon. This is when the saints of God, who are alive and are asleep will rise with Him. It reads, 1“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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) This sleep that Paul is referring to the rest given to the saints of God, not the wicked. For the wicked are punished in hell when they die, where the righteous are resting in paradise. This is until Christ returns in the clouds with a shout, and an angel will blow his trumpet also, where everyone on earth will hear Him loud and clear. Then, believers in Christ who are dead and are now in the graves, lost in the sea, and any other place where pieces of their body lay, even in ash, will their soul return to their bodies like before, and rise from the ground and sea. They will rise up first, and then we will also rise and be with Jesus. We will all reign with our King on the new earth and the heaven forevermore. No person knows when Christ will return, so we live as if that day was today. Look to Christ and you will be ready.
Let us pray:
Lord, I love You so much. Thank You for saving a wretch like me. You are so gracious and such a forgiving God. Your mercy endures forever. Thank You for delivering me from the path of destruction. I was on the pathway to hell until You delivered me the evil one. I thought I had it all figured out until You intervened and set my life in order. I did not know what showcasing love to my neighbor really meant until the gift of the Holy Spirit came into my life. I was wracked with guilt and shame most of my life, because of the lusts of my flesh. Only You could come into my life and tame those evil emotions so that they would not get out of control again. Lord, You have poured down from the heavens Your amazing gifts and I stand amazed every day that I have breath. You have given me the courage to walk differently than the world, even in Your holiness do I live my life. If I am made righteous, You have done it all. Nothing I could ever do could conform me to Your ways, oh Lord, but Your mighty hand. So now I wake each day and look to You in faith. If I am called to go on the streets and declare the gospel to the lost, I do it. If I am called to help a brother or sister in Christ, I run to their occasion. Even people of the world, I showcase the same love and kindness towards them, as I do towards the saints of God. This love pours through my faith in You and into the lives of everyone I am around. Lord, I know that You will soon return to this earth. Yes, Jesus, I am ready for that day and long to be with You forever. What a glorious day it will be when we will all reign with You, my king, on the new earth and the new heaven. My wish is to be able to run into Your arms. I love You, God. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
