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“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Into the Text
When we feel the deep pain of loss, this passage in 1 Thessalonians breathes hope into our weary hearts. It reminds us that death is not the end of the story. Sorrow does not have the final word. Jesus is coming again. When He does, He’s not sending someone else in His place.
“The Lord Himself will come down.”
He’s coming personally, powerfully, and audibly. The trumpet will sound. The heavens will break open. The One who conquered death will return in victory. And what a moment that will be!
Those who have fallen asleep in Christ will rise first. And then, we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Reunited. Redeemed. With Him forever. This is our unshakable hope.
Paul says, “Encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Oh, how encouraging they are. These aren’t just words to study. They’re words to cling to when grief knocks at the door, or the waiting feels too long.
Sweet friend, there will be a day when the trumpet will sound, and everything broken will be made new. Every fear, every tear, and every burden we’ve carried will fade in the light of His glory.
Until then, we wait with hope. We grieve with hope, and we live with hope. One day soon, we will be with the Lord forever.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for the promise of your return. Help me to live today with confidence in your victory and comfort in your promise. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.