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.

Words demonstrate their own futility when we seek to express ourselves at the death of loving family members and friends. Only moments ago, I received word of the death of a dear and faithful English friend, Dr. William R. (Bill) Cooper. Bill was an indefatigable researcher, author, debater –a creationist of no mean ability. All of Cambridge Graduate School, faculty and administration, convey our sincerest condolences to Bill’s family and friends,

When death comes, it’s natural that we should seek to know where they have gone. Paul addresses this query in the words above. We are helpless to rid ourselves of sorrow, but we are certainly not to grieve, as people without hope. Death to one faithfully committed to Christ is much like sleep. When we sleep, we awaken naturally. So is it with believers: when they die, they awaken in the presence of Christ and remain with Him forever. This is our hope, our future certainty, as revealed in the Scripture.

In a time of our LORD’s own determination, He will come again from Heaven and gather all believers unto Himself. This is the Christian’s certainty. Thus, we who are His and remain alive, possess a hope that none others have. Those who precede us in physical death are now alive and in our LORD’s presence!
They are fellowshipping with the preachers and teachers and missionaries and evangelists and parents and children of the Faith that was “once delivered to the saints.” For those who love Christ Jesus are loved by Him. Thus, there is available comfort for all who know and love and wait expectantly for His Return.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom