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Certainties That Bring Comfort

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

A little over two weeks ago, one of our beloved elders went to be with his Lord. His passing from this life vividly reminded me that death affects all mankind — both young and old, male and female, rich and poor. Death is no respecter of persons (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20; Ecclesiastes 8:8; cf. Hebrews 9:27.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the apostle Paul comforted those who mourned the death of their loved ones. He told them that excessive grief resulted from being uninformed. Weeping for the loss of our loved one is natural, but we need not weep like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Instead, we must rely on the following certainties regarding death:

  • Even though the body dies (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20; cf. Genesis 3:19), the soul does not die. In fact, the souls of departed Christians are with the Lord (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:6; cf. Ecclesiastes 12:7). They have retired from this old world of problems, trials, and tribulations (Revelation 14:13; Revelation 21:4), and they “sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14 KJV).
  • Jesus will come for every Christian. Whether a Christian is alive on ear
  • There will be a joyous reunion. “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” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

As Christians, knowing these certainties, brings comfort to us when our Christian friends and loved ones depart (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). Although we are separated from them for a short period of time (relative to eternity), we will one day be united with them again in the presence of our Lord. What a blessed and comforting thought!

When we sweetly sing
with all that ransomed throng,
God shall wipe away all tears;
No more partings come
to mar that happy song,
God shall wipe away all tears.
God shall wipe away all the
tears from every eye,
give us joy for all our fears;
When we meet Him in
that home beyond the sky,
God shall wipe away all tears —W.H. Daniel

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