“But 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.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For 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.
For 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. Then 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.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭13-18‬ ESV

This is it then, isn’t it? This is what we work for and strive toward, being reunited with Christ! Out of this life, with all its burdens and cares, pains and worries, joys and sorrows and everything else, we are striving toward this perfect end with Christ, the eternal joy and peace of being forever with Him.

Why do we share Christ? Because we want to GoLove others as He has loved us, sharing the good news of grace given on the cross. And why? So that as many as will receive Him, being baptized into His death and raised to new life, may find this happy hope of eternity with Him.

Simple as that, wondrous as that! Eternity in God’s heaven with Jesus. Rejoicing, serving, worshipping, living in love and peace and contentment and perfect joy! Don’t be deceived by the door of death, don’t be worried by the sleep of the soul, but be content in the resurrection and hopeful in the restoration of all things.

This world is thin, frail, like vellum or tissue paper. We are working toward something that is lasting, eternal, and forever satisfying. No strumming harps on clouds, but worshipping the King of kings and The Lord of lords from the depth of our being and rejoicing forever in His love and in the light of His glory. A solid, permanent, forever, our hope in glory.

And like a Special Forces rescue effort, Jesus will return for us all, sleeping and awake, and call us home with Him. Those He has purchased with His blood, and who have been brought to new life, baptized into Him, receiving this fantastic grace, we will spend our forevers loving and being loved by Him. No pain, no provision unmet. Just love, peace and glory for the Father of lights, the Holy Spirit of truth and the Son, the Lamb who was slain yet lives.

We have no fear of death, no sorrow in passing from this world, as we await the return of the One who makes all things new! GoLove in boldness, confidence and joy!