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Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
Listen: 1 Thessalonians 4

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. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Paul writes a heartfelt letter to his friends in Thessalonica. They are growing in the Lord, but they have questions and concerns about what will happen to their loved ones who died in the Lord. Paul encourages these believers—not only is Jesus coming back but the dead in Christ will rise first at his return. Then, believers who are living will join him, and all will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). It will be a homecoming celebration! It’s a picture of a family reunited, together with Jesus.

This truth anchors our lives: Jesus is coming back. Discussions around Jesus’s return can wander into speculation or curiosity around timelines and specific details. The major emphasis in Scripture, however, is the reality and sure hope that Jesus is coming back. We are to live each day with readiness and hopeful awareness that Jesus could come back at any moment. This reality should encourage and remind our hearts that this life is not all there is. We have a King who is coming back to establish his kingdom forever, and all believers will be with him. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

TODAY: Write a prayer of gratitude to God in your journal, thanking him for this reality and the hope we have in his return. Thank God that when Jesus returns, _____________ (names of your beloved believers who have passed) will rise first. Then, we who are living will be with the Lord together.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Nehemiah 5-6. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Pay attention to Nehemiah’s servant leadership. Consider how Jesus exemplifies servant leadership (Mark 10:45).