And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 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 believers 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.
(1Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT)
Death is painful. The absence of a loved one from the routines of daily life is very hurting. Certain objects and spaces in the house will bring vivid memories and tears. They say time will heal. But until then it is agonizing.
The Resurrection
Yet, there is hope for a child of God. Death is the end for an unbeliever, but it’s the beginning of real life for a true believer in Christ. The scriptures say that the dead in Christ will rise from their graves when Christ comes down from heaven in mid air to snatch away His bride the Church. This is a mystery event that is not marked on the church calendar. In fact most churches don’t even talk about it, let alone preach or teach about it. One of the important facts to note about this mystery event is that it is a “Bride snatching” ceremony, similar to one that happens in a Jewish wedding. The bride of Christ will disappear into the bridal chamber which was prepared for her by her groom. Remember what Jesus said in John 14:2-3?
“There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.”
(Jn 14:2-3 CEV)
The Rapture
This mystery is called the Rapture. The Church the bride of Christ will be raptured from this world. The dead believers rising first and the living ones being transformed and snatched away into the place prepared for them by the Lord. The bride will be with her groom in that chamber for seven days after which they will appear before people for the banquet. Exactly like this, the Church will be with Christ for seven years while the world will go through the great tribulation under the Antichrist. After the seven years we will come down to the earth with Christ for the great banquet in the millennial Kingdom.
The Return
When Christ returns to the earth with his Church He will reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Satan will be bound for a thousand years and under the reign of Christ the whole creation will experience the joy and freedom it had been longing for (Rom.8:18-25)
So, if you are a born again believer grieving at the loss of a loved one who had made a commitment to trust Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I would like to remind you from God’s Word that you will be reunited with that person very soon. There is going to be a grand reunion in the mid air where we will meet our Saviour along with our loved ones. God’s Word reminds us to encourage one another with these words of hope. (1Thess.4:13-18)
