Daily Devotionals

The End Week 1: Friday

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. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

In our Bible study yesterday, we discussed the truth that when Jesus returns, the bodies of those who have died will rise first. That leaves us with a very important question. What about those who are still alive? How will they unite with Jesus? Today we will dive into that question and see how Scripture answers this all-important question.

 After explaining that the bodies of the believers who had previously passed away would rise first when Jesus returns to be with Him, Paul answers what happens to those who are still alive and living on earth when Jesus comes back in 1 Thessalonians 4 and what he explains is remarkable. He says those “who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” In this extraordinary moment, followers of Christ who have not passed away will immediately be with Jesus. Did you catch how long they will be with Him? Forever. This must have been a comforting promise. Paul knew that Jesus would return one day and that when He returns, followers of Christ will never have to say “goodbye” again.

This truth from 1 Thessalonians 4 is for you and me today. One day, all followers of Christ will be with Him forever. This means that even on our hardest days on earth, and they will come, we can cling to this truth. Christ is coming one day, and if we are His follower, whether we have passed away or we are still living on this earth at the time of His return, He will bring us to Himself. Because we do not know when that day will be, we must be ready for that beautiful day.

Moving toward action

As we think about the truth that Jesus is returning for us one day, we have to ask, “Are we ready?” Are you ready for Jesus to return? Are you following Him closely? Are you sharing your faith? Are you living for Him? How can you begin to prepare for His return, which none of us know when it will happen? Think of one way today you can do to prepare for that amazing day when Christ comes back for His own.

Going Deeper

1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:8 (NLT)

"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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."