1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Yesterday, we gave some thought as to what happens next. While there are many views on the timing of Christ’s return, we must agree that Christ will indeed return and then everything will change – for the better.

As Paul described the sequence of events surrounding Christ’s return to the Thessalonians, he ended with a simple sentence – “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Whether it is the arson of a furniture store in Kenosha, Wisconson or a wildfire in California or yet another expert prediction of impending doom, we can be encouraged too.

Be encouraged this weekend.