The Hope For Resurrection

Thursday, April 16

1 Thessalonians 4:14-15 (NKJV)

“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.”

Devotion

This is the hope for believers: that those we have lost will once again be raised from the dead.

Sometimes in our lives, we may lose a loved one—a parent, a sibling, a friend, a child, or an acquaintance. However, there is a promise for believers in Christ: the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are still alive on earth will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Though we cry and sorrow in the pain of our loss, it is but for a moment, because there is hope that someday we shall see them again in glory.

The resurrection of Jesus has given us, as believers, hope. For we will be caught up with Him in glory, and in order to reign with Him, we as Christians should have the nature of Christ. Just as Pastor Franklin said, having the nature of Christ does not mean you are sinless. You are flawed, yet something in you quickly desires to repent, straighten up, and turn away from sin—seeking help if needed. The sheep falls into the mud and tries to quickly get out; the hog, however, falls into the mud and likes it there. In these two instances, there is a difference between the one who sins but repents and regrets his or her actions, and the one who dwells in sin and is lost because of a relinquished  conscience.

If we are Christians and call ourselves God’s children, we therefore ought to be like Him, live like Him, and walk in His light.

“For when Christ returns, He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31, NKJV). Who are His “elect”? In Colossians 3:12, Paul writes, “to God’s chosen people...” —that is, the believers, those who genuinely follow Jesus Christ. The Bible also recognizes them by their faith in Jesus and the fruit of their lives (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 1:1).

Therefore, when Christ comes back, those who are dead in Christ—the believers we have lost in death—will rise first to meet Him. Then we who are still alive in Christ, with the nature of Christ in us, will be caught up in the air to live in everlasting light with Him and our loved ones.

May we live, admonishing one another to live for Christ, and remembering that Christ lives in us, so that we may see Him again in that joyful resurrection.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the promise of Jesus’ coming—not only for eternal salvation to be with You forever, but also for the joy of seeing my loved ones again: those who died in the faith, who proclaimed Jesus Christ as Savior while on this earth. This hope I hide within my heart, that I may continue the days I have left here in holiness and sobriety. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3

Keep your sights on things above, not on this earth. For you have died to this world and now your life is hidden with Christ in God. Let that reality impact your character, every thought, and every decision.  Be ready when Christ returns.

Resources

• Ready your heart and strengthen your faith, watch “End Time Essentials” today and be reminded of God’s truth for the days we’re living in.

• We’d love for you to join us this Sunday as we continue our powerful series, “The Return of Jesus.” This week, we’re honored to welcome special guest speaker and author John Bevere, who will be sharing a timely and impactful message you won’t want to miss.