The Great Reunion

We have seen that scripture records the sure promise that the risen Lord Jesus who reigns in heaven, will return to earth. Although the world and God's people have experienced and will experience times of trouble 'birth pains' before this happens, these will be far outweighed by the glory that will be revealed. 

Christians alive at the time will be transformed in an instant, and the dead in Christ will be raised and to be given a resurrection body. This is the Christian hope for the future. It is not merely a pious or sincere wish. It is a certainty because it is something God has purposed to do. Jesus' resurrection was simply the first instalment - the first fruit of God's plan for His creation.

Believers who have died

In the church in Thessalonica, there were some who were grieving for loved ones who had died. In his first letter, Paul gives them great encouragement and hope. Those who have died in Christ, (as Christians) will be raised and will return with Jesus when he comes.

'Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  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.'  

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Those Christians who were alive at the time of Jesus' return will meet Him face-to face-for the first time. He will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep, an expression which He uses to describe death.

This is of special comfort to those who experience the grief of losing a loved one. Those, for example, who have lost a child through disease or tragic accident; those who have lost a close relative through war or famine, those who lost a husband or wife suddenly and unexpectedly. Husbands whose wives died giving birth to a child will be reunited.

Questions

Such comfort also brings with it some questions such as the one Jesus was asked on one occasion. 'Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.

"Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother's widow and raise up offspring for him. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless. Then the second and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. And last of all, the woman died. So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her." 

'Jesus answered, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God." ' 

Luke 10:27- 36

Maybe you have others? The scripture does not provide us with answers to them all. So, we need to set aside our desire to know about those whose bodies were cremated or lost at sea and what age they will be in the resurrection. The scriptures do say enough to assure us that there will be a great reunion between Jesus Christ and those who love Him when he returns.

Caught up with Him

When Paul says that we will be caught up together with Him in the clouds, it is probable that he is using picture language to describe the glorious and overwhelming nature of this resurrection reunion! He used similar words to describe his own visionary encounter of Jesus. 

'I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man - whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows - was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.'  

2 Corinthians 12:2-4

The focus of this reunion will be Jesus. He will be the object of our gaze and worship. We will, together, all be focussed on Him. Our relationship with Him will have our rapt attention. All other human relationships will take second place.

The climax of history

At the end of the Book of Revelation, at the climax of history, John tells us that death will be no more. All those evil forces that seek to destroy the earth and God's people will be destroyed. 

'The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.'  

Revelation 11:18

Evil will be eradicated. There will be access to the tree of life, denied to mankind through disobedience.

'And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, or the former things have passed away." '  

Revelation 20-22

Our destiny, which we will share with all those who love Him is to see and know Jesus face-to-face.

Our response?

What does God expect us to do with this knowledge? He has revealed these things, not so we, having been comforted, can sit back passively and wait for them to happen. They set before us a choice and a call to decision. He wants us to actively align our lives with this truth and participate in his purposes. Certainly, they are words of comfort, but they are also words of invitation. Each day of our lives presents opportunities to contribute to the advance of his kingdom by our words and our deeds. God wants us to be expectant, alert and ready to take them.

Chris Moffett