Think on your Eternal Destination

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thess. 4:13–14)

The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Thessalonian church. The church believed that Jesus would one day return, but they had a few questions. One question they pondered as they grieved the loss of friends, was if those who had died in Christ would miss out on His glorious return. Paul addresses their question and tells them that those who are alive when Christ returns will not precede those who are asleep in Christ.  

There will not be a single person who will lag back or be left behind who has died. In fact when Christ comes, the dead will be raised first and then all who are left on earth will be caught up together with them. Paul flips it on its head, and says that any still alive on this earth, won’t miss out.  

If you believe in Jesus you have this hope.  Because Jesus died and rose again for us, we shall not grieve as others who have no hope. 

Some of us gathered here Friday morning and grieved, which was right and fitting.  Whether you have experienced a lost in the past, a more recent loss, or fear a potential loss in the future, we grieve.

What does it look like for a Christian to grieve? First and foremost Paul does not say that we should not grieve at all, but that we should not grieve as if we have no hope. In loss, grief is right, weeping is right.

There are two things to mention about the grief of Christians:

First, the grief of a Christian may be more intense than others around us. We believe that every human life is made in the image of God. We cherish life as a gift that is deeply precious. As Christians Jesus has loved us, has given us new hearts, and has taught us how to deeply love each other. And the greater the love we have for one another, the more acute the loss will feel.

But Second, the grief of a Christian is temporary, and is swallowed up by hope.

Jesus is our sure and steadfast hope. He is a living Hope, and a guarantee that just as he died and raised, all who are in Him will likewise raise. For through the cross Jesus has taken our sin and given us his merit. If we know that the Father is pleased with His Son, then we likewise can know that he is pleased with us who believe.  

This hope is so palpable that those who have passed are described as those who have fallen asleep.  For Paul to describe them as dead in this sense betrays the cosmic reality of what they are experiencing right now.  

Yet even asleep is insufficient of what has happened. Though their earthly bodies rest, those who have gone to be with Christ are more alive than they have ever been. Their hearts, souls and minds are more awake and vibrant than they have ever been.  

In this life we receive the first fruit of the Spirit, but they have it in full measure. Death in this life for the Christian is just the shadow cast from the archway of the entrance into heaven as we pass under it.

The new Jerusalem is our eternal home. Yet this life can seem so substantial to us. But compared to eternity with Christ it is a vapor, a mere breath. We can see this life as reality, and heaven as a mere dream. But it is the opposite. The new heavens and earth is the greater reality for a Christian, and this life is closer to a dream. The glory of our next life runs laps around this life. 

So let us spend time dwelling on this greater reality that is ours in Christ Jesus. Wonder and marvel about these heavenly things that go beyond our finite comprehension. Ponder and anticipate the future of seeing Jesus face to face and experiencing the joy of our king in full measure.