by Timothy W. Burnett
More can be learned about this hope in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. When the rapture comes, Christ Jesus will draw up all born-again Christians whether dead or alive. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then those that are alive at the time will be changed and ascend up to the clouds with the Lord Jesus. This day will occur before the great tribulation period begins. It says in 1Thessalonians 5:4, "But you, Brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief." What day? Look to the previous verse 3, "For when they shall say 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction comes upon them..." When Christ comes for God's children, they will all be glorified for the whole world to see, and will abide forever with the Lord Jesus. They will be rescued from the tribulation period.
People naturally want hope for better days in the future. Through special alliances and projects, communities provide a sense of hope through the promotion of tourism and economic development. One example can be seen in the alliance between the Llano Estacado Tourism Society, Lubbock Convention and Visitors Bureau and certain Lubbock area cities.
Yet, the hope that is fed by these kinds of alliances falls short of the true hope that is from God in heaven through our Lord Jesus. We want to do all that we can to provide for a hopeful future in our communities. But let's not be distracted from the hope of everlasting life with our Lord, for all who get born-again. The rest of God's saints will have the hope of everlasting life in paradise as recorded in Revelation 2:7. Both cases have one thing in common...everlasting life.
The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus did not give a sense of hope. It gave true hope. When God gives His word, it is guaranteed. And with this assurance, we can live our lives and make decisions based not on fear of the unknown future, or on the hope offered by people, but on God's promise. Just like Abraham and our Lord Jesus, we can be "fully persuaded that what God had promised, He is able also to perform" (Romans 4:21-22).
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