“Therefore comfort one another with these words“
Therefore
The “therefore” shows that a purpose of the Rapture is “comfort.” Christians will reunite with their bodies. God will both raise the physical bodies of believers and rapture them. He will rapture those living when He comes. This is comfort for Christians.
comfort one another with these words
God puts His promises on paper. He challenges believers to comfort one another with the promise of the Rapture. Paul asks the Thessalonians to comfort one another in the loss of their loved ones with this truth. They can rest on God’s truth.
There is a difference in the Christian’s grief versus the non-Christian. His grief is not permanent. We will meet our loved ones again. We anticipate that day. This changes our view of life and death.
Principle:
The Rapture comforts those who lose loved ones in death.
Application:
The idea of the Rapture frightens some people. Those who live in unconfessed sin probably do not anticipate Christ’s coming. Sin blunts one’s desire to meet the Lord.
Death is a certainty. Christians may meet physical death (if the Rapture does not occur), but they will never face eternal death.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27).
”There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).
Christians pass into eternal life the moment they accept Christ. This is our great hope. The bleak, barren pit where we put our loved ones will come alive at the Rapture.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).
”You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:8 ).
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
