THE COMING OF THE LORD

The Coming of the Lord

“We do not want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep,
or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope.”
1 Thessalonians 6:13

At this time in the year, our attentions are drawn to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although this emphasis gives us a hope for today, I believe the theme in 1 Thessalonians 4-5 gives us a hope for tomorrow and eternity. Paul emphasizes in these chapters the coming of the Lord. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (4:16-17).” Paul’s reasoning for sharing this information with the Thessalonians was for encouragement. This is the same reason why I am sharing this with you this week. With all the things going on in our country and with our church members, we need all the encouragement we can get. We have a HOPE that the world does not know.
In Chapter 5, Paul explores the difference between the world and the Christian. He contrasts us by using the illustration of darkness and light. “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness (5:5).” The Day of the Lord, will surprise those in darkness like a “thief in the night (5:2).” But for those in the Light (Jesus) we should be alert, self-controlled and ready. We should be ready for the return of Jesus. Paul wants to remind the believer that our hope is in Jesus Christ who has prepared a place for us so that we will live together with Him for eternity. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (5:11).”

Aaron Hodges