Growing up, whenever I heard talk of “the second coming,” “the last days,” or “the Day of the Lord,” I’ll admit I felt anything but comfort. In fact, it freaked me out. The apocalyptic imagery from Revelation, and the interpretations of it from churches and books, didn’t set well, and I became afraid, questioning whether or not I was saved. I remember being crouched next to my parents’ bed, repeating some form of the sinner’s prayer to make sure I didn’t get stuck on the wrong side of the Lord’s coming: Jesus, I believe in you. I’m sorry for what I’ve done. Please forgive me.
Around this time, I also attended my first funeral. It was for a little brown-haired boy, taken early from a family at our church. Although the memorial service was tender, the event left me feeling unwell in my stomach. The truth was this little boy had only “fallen asleep” as the apostle Paul would say (1Thessalonians 4:14–15), but I didn’t yet have enough good theology planted in my adolescent heart to understand why this was a comfort. A sad thing, yes. Grief will also put that feeling inside you. But there was at least comfort in knowing he was with the Lord.
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has done a lot of healing in my heart since those days crouched next to my parents’ bed. There’s a settled peace inside now. Because of the redemption Jesus brought through His death and life, we aren’t without knowledge about those who pass. We have the promise of hope.
Paul wrote this first letter to bring comfort to the Thessalonians. The church in Thessalonica misunderstood what happens to those who die. They were confused over the temporary nature of death and, understandably, were grieved and unsettled at the thought of their loved ones missing out on future rest and blessings.
But that wasn’t the message of the gospel. Jesus came to bring eternal life, not eternal death. Correcting their perspective, Paul assured the people of Thessalonica that they were uninformed (v.13). God had not left them to their grief, but had given them hope. Not only would their deceased friends and family rise, but they would rise first (v.16). Can you imagine how this must have alleviated the church’s sorrow? If we choose to exercise faith in Christ, we can secure our hope on the Lord’s return and our eternal home with Him. And we should “encourage one another with these words,” as Paul told the Thessalonians (v.18).
Comfort, comfort, friends. Those who are asleep will awaken first in the presence of our good Father. Even after we pass from life to death, it isn’t the end. “We will always be with the Lord” (v.17). We’ll be together with our brothers and sisters, experiencing the fullness of God’s love in a collective and embodied way. Together, forever, at last.
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55 thoughts on "The Comfort of Christ’s Coming"
Paul was blessed with some much wisdom by walking with God and constantly seeking more from God. I pray that my actions and words today can be counted as acts of faith in my Savior. I get scared but scripture gives me comfort to not be discouraged or doubt what is to come but to be so happy that I get be with God in eternity
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Wonderful reminder that we forever belong to the Lord. ❤️
I definitely was scarred by the “Left Behind” books that I somehow got a hold of as a kid. So when I was little I was terrified of thunderstorms bc I kept thinking that after one of those huge thunderstorms I would wake up and be totally alone. Now, I know that theology in those books is super messed up. But it’s taken a lot to undo that thinking as an adult. God, I know you are good. That will never change. Your word is true. So the promises you’ve given me, you’ll never go back on those. Help me to remember your promises
Praying for God’s protection over Alexa, the revival of HIS spirit in her, and for those struggling without knowing Jesus. May He fill their hearts with HIS love, never being too late, and place a hedge of protection around Alexa. God’s bless your family.
@Claire B, Thank you for asking, they are doing brilliantly. So much so, if the little munchkin keeps impressing the doctors, he will be sent home next Tuesday…2 weeks after receiving his mamas kidney! I praise and thank God for this beautiful miracle and gift to our family..
I thank God for you all who have held my family in your hearts and prayers these past weeks.. Thank-you.
Sending love and hugs to all wrapped in thankfulness for you!❤
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Romans 13:10
Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore Love is the fulfillment of the law. ❤️
Tina, i hope your niece & grand nephew are well. It is a hard fought battle of the mind and heart of our secular being and our faith. The earthly battle in your mind must be squelched to let God flourish in your heart.
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What a beautiful comfort, as I lost my Christian dad in December & my Christian mom 1 ½ years ago. They loved the Lord so much! I’m comforted knowing I’ll get to be with them again someday. ❤️
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Jesus is love!
I have for a long time now, loved and hopefully have lived and still do in the words I heard once..
Living in light of Eternity.. worshipping here as I will in Heaven, and watching as heaven invades earth around me with the Glory and love of God..
Amen…❤
@MERCY, praying for God’s intervention.. for His hand be over each and everyone involved directly or from afar..for His grace to to be poured over this broken family, for His love to speak to the hearts of this hurting family and especially Alexa. For His protective ‘wings’ (psalm 91) be around young Alexa, protecting and keeping her safe. For the presence of those in authority that can help in this matter to step forward and help Alexa and the family in these trials..
Lord in your mercy… hear our prayer.
Amen..
Wow, what a powerful passage. I myself have always struggled with death, even after becoming a Christian. This passage brings me so much peace in knowing that we will always be with the Lord.
Comfort *in* our world
Amen! Praise be to our God and Father for this beautiful message of hope and GLORY! Praise God for the comfort of our world in light of scripture. May I come to know & trust these things more fully.
Wow!! I was just talking to one of my sisters this past Sunday about this very subject. For the past two weeks my husband’s passing a year and a half ago has been weighing heavily on my mind. This reading brings me comfort. God always knows what His children need. ❤️
Oh MERCY!! Praying, praying, praying!
Mercy, I’m praying for protection and healing for Alexa. I’m praying that the agitated adults would calm down and abandon any idea of retaliation. I pray that any testimony given in court would be honest and transparent. I pray the judge is discerning and wise. I pray the judge’s decision is in the best interest of keeping Alexa safe and that the families accept, and abide by, his ruling. Above all, I pray hearts are turned to God and they seek His grace unto salvation.
Today’s devotional gives me so much hope!
@Mercy, I’m praying for Alexa and the family.
I don’t know where my message went, Mercy, but I am praying for Alexa and the extended family. I pray for her temporal protection but, more importantly, her eternal protection and that of the others as well. Her name is written in my study book, but He knows her name too. ❤️
I am with you on that, Jeannie!
Mercy, Praying for your family.
This is so so timely! Today would have been my dad’s 75th birthday and I have been feeling so sad because of all he has missed. But this reminds me that he is in a much better place and I needn’t be quite so sad.
Love this. Miss my mom often, but know we will meet again. So comforting. ❤️
Dear Sisters, I have a prayer request. Something devastating has happened on my husband’s extended family (whom none are believers, and on the contrary with history of consulting witchcraft and such). The families were torn apart through so many wrong choices, that opened ways for evil consequences to follow. Please pray for Alexa, a 15 year old girl, who is going through physical abuse by her mom’s boyfriend. Alexa has been hospitalized before with bruised ribs and black eyes. And something like happened again this week, court will be involved. Please pray for her dad, and everyone else involved. There has been lots of built-up tension, anger, threats to retaliate back and forth in this family. Please pray for Alexa that God protects her life, restores her and keeps her strong through this trauma. They live in Europe and are quite isolated. It is so heavy that I find it so difficult to pray. Please join me in prayers for them. None should perish but repent. Please pray for justice to prevail, and most importantly the salvation of God to reach them, heal them, and they will be able to have rest and peace. Thank you sisters. God bless you.
I love that when we die, we will always be with the Lord and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We will spend eternity with them. I pray whenever I lose someone, who is a believer, I would remember this truth. I pray that while I am on this Earth, I would love those around me. ❤️
I’m falling in love with the gospel reading through my first full SRT study plan! Love this community and so grateful to be journeying with all of you!
I just listened to Hold Onto Me by Lauren Daigle. Always brings tears. God is always there even we are not paying attention. It brings such comfort to know that my loved ones that have passed are sitting with the Lord. It also brings comfort to know that He will bring me comfort if my son passes before me and He will be holding my son in His loving arms. So thankful for todays study.
Dorothy I pray God gives you comfort in the loss of your son and niece.
A secured hope in the lasting Resurrection. He was the firstborn of all creation, and demonstrated our resurrection to come in His own body. Grateful for this reminder.
Knowing that I will see my son and my niece when I get to Heaven is what has helped me make it through their deaths. I know my parents will be there too but you don’t expect to have a child die before you. I’m grateful they both had accepted the Lord as their Savior. My niece had strayed but was coming back. My son, oh, he loved the Lord so much and served at his church. He was in the youth group.
Lord help all of us remember we will meet again in Heaven. Help us to glorify Your name in all we do. Amen
Have a blessed day sisters.
As is so common for me, a song immediately comes to mind with this devotion: “ I Will Rise,” by Chris Tomlinson. https://youtu.be/CKRF8UihM5s
Such a beautiful truth for today!
When our loved ones pass away (those who named the name of Christ) It’s our loss “temporarily”.
April 12, marked 12 years since my daddy passed away. I’ve said this here before. When they lowered his casket, I did not say goodbye to my daddy. Instead I said, “see you later daddy“
God abides in us—-savoring the comfort in that. I’m striving this year to abide in him and these words that say God abides in us are really soothing my heart today. I’m eagerly awaiting how we will abide together in heaven. ✝️
In the past month, our congregation has been affected by 7 deaths. Not all attended our church but families of them did. My cousin, our admin pastor’s maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather just a week apart, my admin assistant’s mother-in-law who did attend here, a board member’s mother-in-law, my husband’s aunt, and a member’s mother. At least 5 of the 7 were believers, for sure. Grief is real and hard but I am so thankful for scriptures like what we read today that remind us that this life is not the end and for those who cling to Jesus, there will be a great reunion in heaven!
@Churchmouse I agree.
I just lost a very dear friend this week, the funeral is on Saturday. She is a believer – praise God! Because of that, I know I’ll see her again. I have read this passage many, many times – but today it is extra meaningful. What a blessing to know that this is not the end, we have an eternity waiting for us on the other side. All of our loved ones that knew Christ as Lord & Savior will be there, and we will be joined with them – never having to say goodbye again! “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1Thessalonians 5:18 – Hallelujah!
I am so thankful for this truth. I am thankful that I have Hope and don’t have to live in fear.
Jeannie Wilson, I echo your words. And I’m so thankful that our “eternal life” began the moment we accepted Christ’s gift of salvation!
I am so thankful for this truth! I will always be with Him, and I am with Him even now, as His Spirit lives in me!
I am comforted in Jesus’s teachings that my loved ones who have gone on are with the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That brings me comfort knowing that they are not just gone forever and that one day I will see them again. What a grand day that will be!
His love is limitless and profoundly powerful… and when lived out through us it’s literally life changing.
Scripture defines love as (among many things) KIND. Romans 2:4 tells us His kindness leads us to repent, change heart, renew in His goodness. Others will see our kindness and love and see Him. Our world will observe our kindness towards others and be drawn to him. If i can encourage you, look up a series of verses using the search of “kind” – it will absolutely bless your heart and mind to meditate on this thing. Death WAS the ultimate loss. For so many today, it still is. May we be commissioned and motivated in love today to demonstrate pure kindness to the people we encounter, and so show them the hope of Christ…
I think death of loved ones really helps clarify these passages for me. As I’ve mentioned on here before my best friend lost her mom to cancer and her grandfather to a heart attack 5 weeks apart. Both loved the Lord and we are confident are in Heaven with Him. My best friend now mentions how she longs for Heaven so she can be with her mom and Poppop. A few times in Church when we have sung “The Blessing” in the part where we sing “And your children, and their children…” I can almost see my best friends Mom and Poppop in Heaven sending love and light to my best friend who is still Earth-side. It makes me tear up just writing about it :) What hope we have in Jesus that we WILL see our loved ones again! And it encourages me to keep shining my light to those around me so we can all spend eternity in Heaven together.
Ahhh … we have the promise of H O P. E ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
I’m so thankful that Jesus came to bring eternal life, not eternal death! It’s comforting to know that when those we love pass from life that it isn’t the end. I am grateful for my salvation and for this truth about death not being the end. It gives me peace to know that I will be with my loved ones who have gone before me. At the same time, I am burdened for those that aren’t Christians- for those who have no hope. We know that death will not be the end for them either, but an eternal life in Hell filled with unimaginable torment and suffering. This reiterated to me the discussion from yesterday- that we need to live in a manner that points others to Christ. We are to love and if we truly love others, then we should want everyone created in God’s image to spend eternity with Him.
“Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” John 4:7 A great reminder that God is love ❤️
A settled peace that only Jesus’ redemption can provide ♥️
Death was defeated at Calvary. The arms of our Savior stretched out, drawing us in Love that paid the price for our sin, once, for all. May our hearts be comforted in the Truth, God is love and His love abides in us, thanks you, Jesus. May our arms stretch out daily to a lost world, as we hope in, trust in, rest in, and abide in, His love.
Such powerful words written so kindly by Paul. Reassuring. Comforting. Encouraging. Confident. Truth.
One day, one day death’s sting will be gone! Thanks be to God!
Thank you Lord that you “came to bring eternal life and not eternal death”. Sometimes I forget that. I’ve recently heard the gospel being thought about in terms of facets: the gospel of grace, the gospel of the cross and the gospel of the kingdom. Today’s message has really spoken into all three!
He loves us beyond understanding. Thankful Lord for your everlasting redeeming immutable love! No matter what we face He is with us. Hugs Sisters!