KEEP LOOKING UP

Richard Boyd

Photo Richard Boyd

For the Lord, himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

If there is anything we as Christ's servants need to retain in our minds, is one day Yeshua (Jesus) is coming again. It is a long-awaited promise to the church. So much so that many seem to forget this will be the ultimate consolation for His people. The return of Christ is the epic conclusion of God's promises in the Bible.

With all that we see unfolding in the world today, it is important to keep in mind the imminent return of God. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done." Revelation 12:12

In the above verse, we can see why many will laugh at the coming of Christ. Because it will be a tremendous reward to those who are in Christ, but a tragic reminder of those who have rebelled against God.

This is a subject we do not examine frequently in the church, especially in this day and age of self-improvement. The reality is for those who are overcomers in Christ, to consistently maintain our focus on his return one day. Presently it might not happen in our lifetime, but no need to worry, because two thousand years back, the disciples were confident Christ was coming back.

Photo Richard Boyd

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10

Again keep in mind that if Christ does not return in our lifetime or in a later generation, the body of Christ would be defeated by the enemy. Yeshua arose from the grave, in other words, no part of His body could be held down. And in the same way, we will not be tied down.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For 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. For the Lord, himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ...

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

As we go about our daily routine, we can remain confident that this is only for a season, and one glorious day Yeshua will inevitably come for His amazing bride. When this event occurs, we will all celebrate as one in Him.

Keep Looking Up.