The Lord’s Coming

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again…this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep (died).

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Though we do not know what the Thessalonian Christians misunderstood about Christ’s return, it is clear that they were afraid that those Christians who had already died would somehow miss our Lord’s return. In our verses today, Paul lays out a part of Jesus’ return to consummate His kingdom. Paul writes this is “a word from the Lord.” Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that what he is writing is from Jesus Christ and not Paul’s own thinking about this matter. All of Paul’s writings in Holy Scripture comes with divine authority. The Greek word translated “coming” in “the coming of the Lord” is parousia, often used in Greek literature to refer to the visit of the emperor or another dignitary to a city. During such visits of an official, great festivities would be held, and the residents of the city would go out to meet him. Sometimes it would begin a new era for the people. If one wanted to be present at this visit of an earthly official, how much more would one want to be at the “visit” of Christ? So, Paul clearly states that those who have died in faith before the return of Jesus will be the first to meet Him. They will rise from the dead and precede those who are alive when it comes time for believers to meet their Lord at the last day. Paul says that Christ will come with “the voice of the archangel” and “the sounding of the trumpet.” The Old Testament prophets foresaw that the trumpet would announce “the Day of the Lord.” Are you looking forward to the coming of the Lord, to the parousia of Christ? It is easy for us to get so caught up in our everyday activities that we forget that Jesus is coming and that He could come at any moment. Therefore, we should think regularly on His coming and all the joys it will bring. Remembering that Jesus is coming soon will also encourage us to be busy with the work of His kingdom.

Source: S C Ball March 10, 2024


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