Encourage One Another With These Words!

"According to the Lord's Word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:15-18 NIV)

On a subject that not many care to discuss, but should--death. There is one reality that all must face--we are born to die, unless the Lord returns before that event occurs. However, though there is a physical death, we can look forward to rising upon His return so that we will be with Him forever.

On a secular scale--most people simply see death as a natural occurrence--and it is. But for those of us who are living a Spirit-filled life, we know that physical death is simply part of the transition to getting into heaven.

For those who are truly Believers, death should never frighten us; especially if we have lived our lives to please God. While there are those around us who are dying daily, from sickness and disease, and we're praying--we should be mindful that when a person dies who has suffered pain and anguish, death is also a form of healing for when they are gone--their suffering ends. 

And while we miss loved ones who go before us--if they knew the Lord, we can be thankful that they, too shall reign with Him when He makes His glorious return.

For this reason--so all will rise at the sound of the trumpet and command--Believers should be a witness of God's mercy and grace, telling all they can the Good News about the work on the Cross. When we become saved--our job is just beginning--for the Lord would have all men to be saved and once we have accepted the sacrifice Jesus made for us and are living for Him, we should want everyone we know to know the Savior who loves us. And we should keep telling the good news until we reach the stage of our own transition.

Therefore, death as a conformity of life--should not be feared, nor should we spend time grieving over much for those who have made the transition, but we should rejoice in the knowledge that one day--they shall rise and reign with us, all with The Lord. Though our hearts may hurt for a time, our spirits should soar and heal the hurt--remembering all the good things and continuing to spread the Gospel until we are finished with earthly works.

While we yet have time to do so--and we must make the most of every hour we have--we need to share the love of God and encourage all to Believe in our Risen Savior so we won't have to be sad when they depart this earthly realm. We encourage others to get into The Word of God, develop a relationship with Him, and know that when we're gone--they will seek The Lord for comfort and be assured of our rising from the dead upon His return--before all who are left alive--whose hearts belong to Jesus.

Therefore, when we experience consoling someone who has lost a loved one or even if we lose a loved one, encourage all with these words--their end is not The End--if they know The Lord.