TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Thessalonians 4:13-18
TO CHEW ON: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. I Thessalonians 4:16,17
Your grandma, who lives far away, is coming for a visit! You clean the house and make the guest bed. Your mom stocks the fridge with Grandma’s favorite foods. On the day she’s due to arrive, you drive to the airport and wait impatiently in the arrivals lounge. You can’t keep your eyes off the doorway through which she’ll soon appear
Someone else just as special as grandma will arrive one of these days. Jesus promised over 2000 years ago He would someday return to earth. We don’t know when He will come back and we won’t go to meet Him at an airport, bus depot or train station. But He promised someday He will appear in the sky. It could be any day. It could be today, or eleven months or fifty-three years from now.
Like we prepare for the visit of someone we love, we can also get ready for Jesus’ return. Which statements, below, do you think are made by someone who is living with Jesus’ return in mind:
- The most important thing is to have fun and be happy.
- Jesus died for my sin; He is the boss of my life.
- I’m young. I’ll have lots of time to think about Jesus when I’m old.
- The most important thing is to reach my goals.
- I live each day as if Jesus were watching me.
- Making lots of money is the most important thing in life.
- I live every day as if it could be my last.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I know You could return at any time. Help me to be ready. Amen.
MORE: Heaven
When Jesus returns He will take us to heaven to live with Him. What will that be like? The Bible talks a lot about heaven. Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 21:1-8 and Revelation 22:1-5 are three such places. Which statements about heaven, below, are true (check the Bible passages, above, if you’re not sure)?
A. There will be no more death.
B. We will sit around on clouds playing harps all day.
C. There will be no sadness or crying.
D. We’ll spend time sailing on heaven’s seas.
E. People from every nation on earth will be there.
F. No sun, moon or stars are needed; God is heaven’s light.
G. There will be no sickness in heaven.
H. We’ll still get hungry and thirsty in heaven.
I. We’ll see God, Jesus and angels.