The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

There’s a lot of talk these days in secular as well as Christian circles regarding whether and when Jesus Christ will

come again. Let me say as definitely as I can that 1) He is Coming Again, and 2) that no one knows when –even Jesus Himself said He did not know when (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).

Paul wrote this epistle (letter) so all believers of his era and ours might be informed. When Paul uses the word asleep, it’s an euphonisim. He means physically dead. The spirit of man never dies, whether he believes in Jesus or not. Paul further states that those of us who may still be living when Jesus Comes will not get a head-start on those who are believers and are buried. Jesus will descend from Heaven, accompanied by a loud shout from the archangel and the trumpet of God. At that point, the graves of all believers will be opened and they will arise alive and be caught up to meet Jesus in the air.

Thus, when we hear news reports or sermons from liberal or “activist” pastors, we are not to be discomforted. We are to use the above words of Paul to bring comfort to other believers. “But what,” you ask, “is to happen to unbelievers?”

Those who are alive but without Christ, will remain on Earth and face the Great Tribulation. Those who died without Christ will remain in their graves until the Great White Throne Judgment, whereafter they will be cast into Hell for eternity. Salvation in Jesus Christ alone will satisfy God the Father. He alone brings comfort to all believers. “Choose your this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. If your church is not onliine, you may hear my pastor, Dr. Nick Floyd, at www.crosschurch.com/live/ at 9:30 or 10:55 A.M (CST).

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”