Remember the Future

The other day I sat down to read the Apostle Paul’s First letter to the Thessalonians.  And I was struck by his repeated attention to Jesus’ “coming.”  That is, to the Lord’s future appearing—the Second Coming (see 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:2, 23).  Paul served and taught and wrote and lived with a grand anticipation of the Day of the Lord.

Is that how we live—today, in 2018?  Does the looming, awesome, climactic appearing of Jesus tower over our daily duties and our dreams of tomorrow?  Are our decisions about career and relation­ships and spending (etc.) shaped by this all-important future event?  Or does the promised return of Jesus just seem to slip our minds?  I must confess:  this is a real struggle for me.

In 1 Thessalonians, the Second Coming is a grand goal that’s always in view, aimed at as the finish line in the marathon of ministry (2:19).  Further, Jesus’ future return is something for which we deliber­ately, carefully prepare—get ready for his coming! (5:6, 23; 3:13).  And yet, take note:  even as we’re called to get ready, at root it’s the Lord who prepares us and sanctifies us; his work to save and transform us is what’s decisive (3:13; 5:23).  So trust him and rest in his secure love, even as you press on toward greater Christ-likeness.

In addition, don’t miss Paul’s point in 4:15, that “the coming of the Lord” is the event that will trigger the bodily resurrection of all who have died in Christ; believers who are still living at that time will not precede deceased Christ-worshippers in coming into the radiant presence of King Jesus!  All of which is grounds for encouragement: “Therefore encourage each other with these words” (4:18; 5:11).

“Encourage each other.”  That doesn’t mean just saying nice things to make other people feel good about themselves.  Christian encour­age­ment is saying and doing things to help build others up in their faith in Jesus.  We encourage one another when we help our brothers and sisters turn away from bitterness or self-pity or pride (etc.) and turn toward Jesus in faith, in trust!  “Fix your eyes on Jesus.”

And so, based on God’s Word, I give you this gospel encouragement:  “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”  Count on it!