Remember
The Hope Of The Resurrection
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 KJV
Slowly they walk,
one by one, scattering the leaves and trampling the grass under measured
and heavy steps. The minister’s words still echoing in their minds, they
hear workmen moving toward the terrible place, preparing to cover the casket
of their loved one.
Death, the
enemy, has torn the bonded relationships of family and friends, leaving
only memories . . . and tears . . . and loneliness.
But
like a golden shaft of sun piercing the winter sky, a singular truth shatters
the oppressive gloom:
Death is not the end! Christ
is the GREAT VICTOR over death, and there is hope of the resurrection through
HIM.
As with every
member of the human family, first-century Christians came face to face
with their mortality. Many of them met early deaths at the hands of those
who hated Christ and all allied with him.
Whether at
the hands of zealous Jews (like Paul before his conversion), angry Greeks,
or ruthless Roman authorities, persecution included stonings, beatings,
crucifixions, torture, and death. To be a follower of Christ meant to give
up everything.
Paul established
the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (in about
A.D. 51).
He wrote this
letter a short time later to encourage the young believers there. He wanted
to assure them of his love, to praise them for their faithfulness during
persecution, and to remind them of their hope—the sure return of their
Lord and Savior.
Paul begins
this letter with a note of affirmation, thanking God for the strong faith
and good reputation of the Thessalonians. Then Paul reviews their relationship—how
he and his companions brought the gospel to them, how they accepted the
message, and how he longed to be with them again.
Because of
his concern, Paul sent Timothy to encourage them in their faith. Paul then
presents the core of his message—exhortation and comfort. He challenges
them to please God in their daily living by avoiding sexual immorality,
loving each other, and living as good citizens in a sinful world.
Paul comforts
the Thessalonians by reminding them of the hope of the resurrection. Then
he warns them to be prepared at all times, for Jesus Christ could return
at any moment. When Christ returns, those Christians who are alive and
those who have died will be raised to new life.
Paul then gives
the Thessalonians a handful of reminders on how to prepare themselves for
the Second Coming: Warn the idle), encourage the timid, help the weak,
be patient with everyone, be kind to everyone, be joyful always, pray continually,
give thanks , test everything that is taught, and avoid evil.
Paul concludes
his letter with two benedictions and a request for prayer.
As
you read this letter, listen carefully to Paul’s practical advice for Christian
living. And when burdened by grief and overwhelmed by sorrow, take hope
in the reality of Christ’s return, the resurrection, and eternal life!
The Greeks have
two words for "air." The first Greek word is "aer," and refers to the lower,
denser atmosphere. The second Greek word is "aither," which speaks of the
***
rarefied, or thinner atmosphere.
***
Definition of RAREFIED
1: being
less dense
2: of,
relating to, or interesting to a select group : esoteric
3: very
high
A Greek would
stand on the Summit of Mt. Olympus which is 6,403 feet high, and pointing
downward would say, "aer," and pointing upward, would say "aither."
Now, my question
would be the following. Which word "aer" or "aither" did Paul use
to refer to us "meeting the Lord in the air?"
At a glance,
the Greek text shows that he used the word "aer." All of which means that
the LORD JESUS, when He comes for His Bride, the Church, will descend to
a distance within 6,403 feet of the Earth, which is little more than a
mile or less away.
THE ASSURED
HOPE
Again, the
great apostle was writing to the Thessalonians Christians who were sorrowing
over the loss of loved one who had died. He tells them not to sorrow as
others who have no hope.
The
tombstones in the cemeteries of the Thessalonica were inscribed with the
words "NO HOPE." These pagan Greeks, striving to pierce the
future through their philosophies, could never arrive at any positive assurance
of a reunion with loved ones in the afterlife. They had no hope.
To these Christian
Greeks, Paul holds out the assured hope of reunion with loved ones who
were Believers, a reunion in the air, when jesus comes fro His Church.
He tells them
that since we believed that Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with
Jesus from Heaven, our loved ones who have fallen asleep ( euphemism
for death ) in Jesus.
Definition
of EUPHEMISM
: the substitution
of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest
something unpleasant; also : the expression so substituted
— eu·phe·mist
noun
— eu·phe·mis·tic
adjective
— eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly
adverb
