We have hope through our God

Article for November 8, 2026

1 Thessalonians 4:13 13But 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.

It is very difficult to lose a loved one.  We know this because we have all suffered the loss of a loved one.  Think of those who do not know of salvation and have no hope or comfort through their loss.  Worse, it grieves me when people lose their faith because of their loss thinking God should have saved them.  I have witnessed this and sadly enough I witnessed a pastor give up his faith after losing his wife as she died from a disease.  What they forgot is God did save them and we will see them again.

For the unbeliever death is a final destination and that destination is very bleak.  They believe one becomes dust or one becomes particles to be thrown around by cosmic winds.  Not a comforting thought as one’s soul ends and becomes forgotten.  For the unbeliever there is nothing to look forward to, or they can look forward to nothing.  The problem is that nothing does not exist, but they do not realize this.

We who believe have hope and our hope is in Jesus Christ’s promise of eternal life.  However, if your hope is just in eternal life, I’m sorry your hope is unfounded.  Our hope should always be in Christ Jesus as He is the founder of our faith, our savior, and the Son of God.  If we truly want eternal life, then it will not come by the means of what we want but through our faith given to us through our Lord and savior who is Jesus Christ.

We have hope, and through our God given hope, we have faith in that we will see those again who have fallen asleep before us.  We who have hope will be reunited with those we love in heaven, on the new earth, and under the new heavens of eternal light.

1 Thessalonians 4:14–15 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

If we are so blest to see the coming of our Lord, then we will also be blest to see all who have past on before us be raised from their sleeping place and rise up to greet Jesus.  This will be a glorious sight for the believer and a horrific sight for the unbeliever

Come to think about it, those who thought they could recreate God in their own image will also experience horror as they will be left behind.  Not a good thought as many of us may have relatives and friends who are being led by these churches who think they control God and control their own faith. 

Please stop and think, if we cannot believe in God’s word and God has left us to fend for ourselves, what then do we base our beliefs on?  Also, who among those who do not believe in God’s word have God and salvation figured out if they have to choose their own right and wrong.  Who is right and who is accurate among them who think they are smarter than those who believe in God’s word?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

If we are so blest to see this awesome sight and we are watching those who were asleep who then will be awakened, we will be swelled up in our God given faith knowing that we will soon follow.  What an awesome day that will be.  I know I will be on my knees or even prostrate on the ground praising, thanking, and worshipping God with all of my heart, my soul, and my strength.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

For us who believe and with the Holy Spirit who helped us hang on to our faith, it will be a glorious and never ending day.  This will not be a day where you will doubt your faith but a glorious day where you will see the fruit of your faith.  Your confidence will grow your joy will be filled and your heart will burst of love for God and all things promised.

This will be a day where our minds will fill with all the answers to all the questions, we wanted to ask our God, Lord Jesus.  This will be a day that will not end.  The sun will not be needed, the moon will disappear, and the heavens in the sky will shine the light of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the meaning of God’s love will shine in our heart as we remember Jesus died for our sins so we could have this everlasting day.  And we will remember that Jesus was resurrected from the dead so we could be with Him always and forever more.  Amen.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

What else is there to say other than we share it all with all. 

Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May