Yesterday we began a short series on Paul’s instructions to the church at Thessalonica. We learned about the hope of Jesus’ return for all who have died in Christ. Today, we’ll use most of same passage to hear more encouragement in Paul’s instructions on Jesus’ Second Coming:

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

When I came to Christ in the early 1970’s we often proclaimed, "Jesus is coming soon!" When Paul wrote this letter, I think he believed this as well, saying "We who are living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died." None of us should have any fear that we might “miss” the Second Coming. First: it will be loud! Paul said, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.” Wow! That’ll wake anyone up! Other passages such as Rev. 1:7, Matt. 24:27, and 2 Peter 3:10 also speak of this completely un-miss-able and un-mistake-able event. What an astonishing scene Paul describes: "First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Wow again! There’s going to be a great reunion: first, the dead will be united with Jesus and then all of us who are still alive will join the celebration. As a kid I always grieved at the end of family reunions because they only lasted a few days. This reunion will not be brief—it will be forever! So why does Paul take time to teach some much on the Second Coming? Like in Friday’s devotion, let’s look again at last line of the passage: "So encourage each other with these words." The Thessalonians were going through terrible persecution and were being tempted to give up. Are you sometimes tempted to give up? Are you struggling, grieving a loss, worried about the future, or hurting over some personal failure? Don’t give up. Keep your eyes on the prize. Jesus really is coming back and life with Him will be glorious forever...and that is very Good News!