Newsletter March 2021 Part 1

Hope of eternal life

 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

     The apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Thessalonica who had recently turned from pagan idol worship to the living and true God by putting their faith in His Son Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead.  (1 Thess. 1:9-10)  Their faith and commitment had become known in the entire region, causing others to turn to Christ.  At the same time however, they were experiencing trials through persecution and some had evidently lost their lives. 

     When Paul speaks of those who are asleep in Jesus he means those who have died after coming to Him as their Lord and Saviour.  While he understands their sorry at the loss they have suffered, Paul seeks to comfort the bereaved by reminding them of the fact that Jesus Himself overcame death and all those who have put their faith in Him will share in His life – eternal life. 

     One day the Lord will return and those who are asleep, merely resting, will be raised.  Of this hope every believer is assured.  Thus, in a sense, those who have already passed on from this life are in an even better position than those who remain alive, serving God in this world of tribulation.  They will rise first. 

     So what about those who remain?  Should they desire death so as to enjoy the hope of eternal life?  Paul answers this question by explaining what is commonly described as ‘the rapture’ – the catching up (or gathering) of the believers at the time of Jesus Christ’s return.

     There are many different opinions regarding the timing of this ‘rapture’.  Will there be an interval between the raising of the dead and the transformation and catching up of the living? (1 Cor. 15:51-52)  Or will this all happen at the same time?  If so, where are those who are asleep now?  Are they conscious in God’s presence?  Whatever our understanding may be, one thing is sure: whether we live or die, we are with Christ. For the moment we come to know Him we receive eternal life.  His Spirit comes to live in us and imparts His life to us.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in us. (Eph. 1:20) 

     This is why Paul was able to face the prospect of death at the hands of the opponents of Christ with confidence.  His sole concern was that Christ [would] be magnified in [his] body, whether by life or by death.  He was able to proclaim, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  (Phil. 1:21)  He was looking forward to eternal life in God’s presence, but he was also willing to endure a little longer for the sake of the believers if they still needed his ministry to them.

     Although the date and place of writing are not certain, Paul’s words suggest that he still had a work to do and that he probably was indeed released on this occasion.  Nonetheless, the time came when he knew that he would leave this life, and he could say with full assurance, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.        

     Ultimately, our lives are in God’s hands, and we cannot be sure when our time will come, but we have the assurance of eternal life in Jesus Christ.  And we know that those who have gone before us are resting in God’s presence.  Let this knowledge always be our comfort – be it in grief or in the face of death!