Biblical Building Block #18 - Comfort One Another (I Thessalonians 4:18) – PART 2

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #18 - Comfort One Another (I Thessalonians 4:18) – PART 2

I Thessalonians 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

We have a responsibility to comfort one another with the teaching of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. You’ll find find this example in the book of I Thessalonians. In each of the five chapters of I Thessalonians, the apostle Paul is reminding the church of the return of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ will not forget His promise to all believers. We’ve got the pure Word of God that says He’s coming again. Notice the following Scriptures.

I Thessalonians 1:10, And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

I Thessalonians 2:19, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

I Thessalonians 3:13, To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

I Thessalonians 4:16, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I Thessalonians 5:2, For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

When Jesus comes, we can expect:
1. The Resurrection (I Thessalonians 4:13-15)
2. The Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:16-17a)
3. The Reunion (I Thessalonians 4:17b-18)

Paul lets them know that the coming of Jesus is not an event that should bring fear to the hearts of believers. The return of Jesus Christ for His church is an event that should comfort the hearts of those who know Jesus. The fact of our Lord’s Second Coming should comfort our hearts as well. Jesus is coming. He is quickly coming Amen. He is coming to take the saints of God home to Heaven to live there for eternity. What a glorious day that will be! I want my Saviour to return. I’m not looking for signs nor am I wanting signs. I’m listening for a shout and the sound of the trumpet to blow. Jesus is coming, and without a doubt, He is coming with a shout. Praise God, when He is coming, we’ll be going. We are to encourage one another with these words. Just as sure as a person needs to be about his salvation, you need to be sure of the Lord’s return.

1) It Will Be Serious. Matthew 24:37-39, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

2) It Will Be Selective. Luke 17:34-36, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

3) It Will Be Secure. Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

4) It Will Be Swift. Matthew 24:27, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Questions to Consider:

• Where can we receive comfort?
• How can we be a comfort to others?

· What happens when life doesn’t go the way you want?

• Is there anything that could happen in your life that would leave you feeling utterly hopeless?
• What have you consistently noticed about believers who won’t let anything steal their hope?
• Do I really believe this will happen or am I clinging hopelessly to some ancient fantasy?
• Let me ask you, do you have this hope? Are you ready to meet Him?
• Are you living daily like Jesus can come again?
• Would you commit your life daily to Jesus to live for Him and to look for Him?
• If Jesus came today, would you be ready?
• Do others around you know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour?

Points to Ponder:
· Paul says keep on keeping on.
· Paul tells the church to keep on living like Jesus could come today because He might just come today! Amen!

• I believe that Jesus will return as strongly as I believe anything else.
• The great, unshakable hope of every Christian is the return of Jesus Christ.

· Your answer will tell you where your hope lies—where it’s truly anchored.
· List as many Scriptures as you can that give you comfort.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for enabling me to trust You with every occurrence in life, even those that feel beyond my ability to endure. Help me place my hope where Your Word tells me to place it; in You and Your promise of an abundant future with You forever. My hope is found in the promise that You are coming back for me! On those days when I struggle, it’s such an encouragement that this life is not all there is. Help me to be always ready for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #18 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #19 of this series.

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