Christians Grieve with Hope --- 2019/12/11

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Only Christians have true comfort in the face of death. While those who do not trust in Christ for salvation may attempt to avoid the subject of death or write it off as just another part of life, Christians grieve as those who have hope. Such grief acknowledges death as an enemy Christ has defeated. His death and resurrection have established His reign over all things and all people, even those who have died. For that reason, St. Paul writes with confidence to the Thessalonians that those who have died before Christ’s return are not apart from His care. That will be made plain on the Last Day, when Christ returns. He will descend bodily and visibly, commanding the dead to rise from their graves. The voice of an archangel and the sound of God’s trumpet will ring forth. The dead in Christ will rise first, and then those Christians who are alive at the time will meet Jesus in the clouds together with Him, The upshot is beautifully simple: we will always be with the Lord. This pure doctrine concerning Christ’s return and the resurrection of the body is the source of great comfort for all Christians.