"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, 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 and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
It is easy to become so preoccupied with living today that we lose sight of tomorrow. As lethargic watchmen proclaimed in Isaiah 56:12, “And tomorrow will be like today, only more so.” The routine and rhythm of life can seem so predictable and mundane that we fail to consider the dramatic suddenness that will usher in the age to come. There is a specific date and time fixed on God's calendar in which everything will change.
Many have sought to pinpoint the time of Jesus' return based upon the signs of the times, but the only real sign given will be "the sign of the Son of Man" which "will appear in the sky" (Matthew 24:30) at the actual return of Jesus. Eternity will break through the ordinary with incredible swiftness. For those who are prepared, it will be a time of indescribable joy; for the unprepared, it will be unspeakable sorrow.
The fact that is so obvious, but so easily overlooked, is that He IS coming back. Our rendezvous with this great event is certain and inescapable. There won't be time, as that day approaches, to cease our daily routines and move into "preparation mode." The fact is, every day and every moment IS "preparation mode."
What an amazing thing it would be to be near a cemetery when the Great Day occurs. In our mind’s eye we can almost picture the silent ascension of dead believers from their graves to their appointed rendezvous with the triumphant returning Christ. But, there would only be a moment to ponder this incredible sight because our instantaneous change from mortality to immortality will occur immediately following the resurrection of the dead. Within moments we will be transported to the side of resurrected believers around the presence of Christ as He returns. And "so we shall always be with the Lord". Our present fragmented and imperfect relationship with Christ will yield to perfect and complete wholeness. We will be inseparable! It's little wonder that we are reminded to "comfort one another with these words." Are there any words or truth more reassuring?
In this midst of today's busyness may you take time to consider the amazing future that is destined to break through in an instant. May the thought of this wonderful truth bring great joy and comfort to you as you live today for the bright tomorrow in store for all who believe.
©Steve Taylor, 2023 --Used by permission
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