Wednesday 12th March
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
“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. 16 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. 17 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 for ever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (NIVUK)
If the sea is often associated with chaos and disorder, the air is the realm of the powers of this world. But they are as nothing compared with the power of the King. There is nothing that can separate the Lord from His people.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) (NIVUK)
If we are wondering how Paul’s explanation of the events associated with Jesus’ return could possible be an encouragement – his fuller explanation in Romans 8 perhaps provides us with clues!
