A Message of Hope for the Grieving

"But we do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as other do who have no hope" (1 Thes. 4:13).

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul offers a message of hope for the grieving.  Paul explains that the source of hope and comfort for the believer is the death and resurrection in Christ.  He tells believers don't grieve like the hopeless.  Those who do not know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, have no hope of eternal life.  That is not to say that non-Christians don't have some kind of belief in the afterlife where they'll be rewarded.  It means that their notions of the afterlife are misguided and unfounded.  Apart from Jesus, they will die and face the wrath of God.

When facing death we must remember: Jesus didn't just die, but he was also raised to life again. Jesus, who died for our sins and rose from the grave, will bring us up from the dead when he returns.  The resurrection of Jesus was testified to by eye witnesses, most of whom died for their testimony.  The resurrection of Christ is a sure comfort.

Jesus promised to return again (see Mark 13:26-27).  Paul states, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God" (1 Thes. 4:16a).  Those who are dead, in Christ, will be raised to life, and those believers who are still alive will be caught up to be with Christ and his people.  The pattern described by Paul is similar to wedding rituals in the 1st Century (see Matt. 25:1-13).  Also, there were occasions when conquers would send dignitaries ahead so the people would come out and great them.  Paul is describing an event where Christ calls for his people and they rush to meet him in the air.

We are called to encourage each other with the message of Christ's death and resurrection.  Yes, we should grieve with the grieving, but we must also encourage them to combat despair, depression, and doubt. 

Principles from the passage:

1.  Doctrine (Theology) matters.
2. Doctrine in practical.
3. The better we understand the Bible, the better we will be able to endure.
4. We should not grieve like the hopeless, but doesn't mean we don't grieve.
5. The resurrection of Christ guarantees that we will be raised to life.
6. Someday we will be reunited with Christ and other believers for ever.