Exploring the Text: Hope for those who have fallen asleep
In this letter, Paul is addressing the concerns of the Jesus followers in Thessalonica. One of there concerns was that several of their number had "fallen asleep", or passed away. They were concerned that these people who had died in Christ would miss out on the final promises of God and would not see the second coming of Jesus or spend eternity with him. Paul tells then that it is appropriate to mourn those loved ones we have lost, but that we mourn with hope, not without hope. When we lose a beloved friend or family member who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ, we know that death is not the end. When Jesus comes again, he will bring with home all of those we have lost who have placed their trust in him. They will be raised and and then those who are still alive, we be caught up together with them and we will spend eternity with them and, even more importantly, with Jesus.
Paul tells the Thessalonians to comfort each other with this truth. This is important for us to remember as well, especially when we keenly feel the loss of a loved one. We can be encouraged, and we can encourage each other, with the reminder that death is not the end. There is a hope beyond death for all of those who are in Jesus.
David Dalton
In this letter, Paul is addressing the concerns of the Jesus followers in Thessalonica. One of there concerns was that several of their number had "fallen asleep", or passed away. They were concerned that these people who had died in Christ would miss out on the final promises of God and would not see the second coming of Jesus or spend eternity with him. Paul tells then that it is appropriate to mourn those loved ones we have lost, but that we mourn with hope, not without hope. When we lose a beloved friend or family member who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ, we know that death is not the end. When Jesus comes again, he will bring with home all of those we have lost who have placed their trust in him. They will be raised and and then those who are still alive, we be caught up together with them and we will spend eternity with them and, even more importantly, with Jesus.
Paul tells the Thessalonians to comfort each other with this truth. This is important for us to remember as well, especially when we keenly feel the loss of a loved one. We can be encouraged, and we can encourage each other, with the reminder that death is not the end. There is a hope beyond death for all of those who are in Jesus.
David Dalton