I am so happy to know that you still have a desire to obey the Lord Jesus, who was sent to us from God the Father. His love toward us goes beyond that which we are able to comprehend. He will in no wise forget us after having chosen us to receive the dispensation of the gospel, which is freely given to them that have ears to hear and a sincere will to obey. The lack of understanding is not sin, but to lack the will to search for understanding is.
I pray that the Lord will let me accomplish something good with the rest of my time on earth. Not only to offer the truth to others, but to also see the fruits of my labor by turning their mind toward the eternal things of God and seeing them grow in the spirit of grace. It is my sincere hope that our Lord will allow me to see some strengthened and able to stand on their own knowledge and understanding. This would be my reward and my joy.
The most often read and the least understood verses in the book of 1 Thessalonians are found in chapter 4, beginning at verse 13.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Notice, “them which are asleep.”
Those that died with the hope of Christ in their heart had to sleep for a little while in the grave. Some for many years and some for a few, but who can mark the passing of time in the void of dreamless sleep. It was only a passing night for all of them. They all looked ahead with hope in their hearts, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6)
Why should we not sorrow for those that are gone? “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53)
Paul said, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (Verse 14)
The bodies of the saints that slept in Jesus came out of the graves after his resurrection.
The bodies of flesh? “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35) “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44)
After Jesus was resurrected, being the firstborn of many, he led them out of the prison of the grave. “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (Verse 15)
Paul included himself, “we which are alive” (in Christ, in spirit) “and remain” (in this flesh) “unto the coming of the Lord.” “For he must reign” (in our heart) “till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” (He will be with us through death.) “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.” (1 Corinthians 15:24)
Jesus will deliver up the kingdom “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” “for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” It is a spiritual body.
Hold fast to the truth! If you let go of the lifeline, your fall into the bottomless pit will be eternal. There is nothing else to cling to that can stop your descent. You’ve heard how a drowning person will grasp at straws? It’s the same in religion when they are separated from the truth. They grasp at anything that comes along. You are indeed chosen and blessed to hear the truth. Don’t neglect so great salvation.
May God bless you and shine his light of truth round about you.
