FOREVER WITH THE LORD

1 THESSALONIANS 4:17

NO DATE

 

We know the words full of comfort, for the apostle says in the next verse, wherefore, comfort...

 

These the very words dictated by the Comforter.

 

To be repeated by the saints.

Said to one another.

Malachi 3:16,17

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth and they that have the words of this prophecy.

 

The comfort referred to:

 

      1.  Partly from the fact of the resurrection.  A great truth, we shall rise again.

 

      2.  Partly from the bliss of the assembly of God's children, never to be broken up again.  The separation transient; the re-union everlasting.

 

      3.  Partly from the glory to be revealed, for heaven a many-sided joy.

 

But mostly refers to, forever with the Lord.

 

      A.  The story I heard as a boy.  The man saved:  in testimony meeting, said when to glory, see Jesus first.  Little boy died.  Asked, Still see Jesus first?  Father, mother died.  Still see Jesus first?  Wife died - alone, Still see Jesus first?

 

 

I.  THROUGH ALL TIMES, CHANGES, SEASONS, AGES

 

A continuance of our present fellowship with the Lord.

 

Means:  nothing can, shall, prevent our continuing to be ever with the Lord.  Death not separate us.  Our abiding in Christ remains unbroken.  Romans 8:38,39

 

      1.  We are with the Lord now, in this life.

 

Paul's favorite expression:  in Christ.

 

Colossians 3:3  your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

A sheep following Christ - a member of His mystical body.  A branch of the spiritual vine. 

 

Crucified with the Lord ...buried...raised..ascended...

 

There is a union of heart between us.  We are in league with Him, enlisted under his banner.   Following Him, working for Him...

 

And He is with us:

 

Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 18:20

 

We have heard the sound of our Master's feet behind us when on His errands.  We have felt the touch of His hand when to the forefront of battle.  We have known the breath of His presence when assembled together.

 

Compare:  Enoch.  We walk with Him now.  No dividing gulf in the future.

 

 

      2.  We bear about a dying body.  If the Lord tarries, the time coming when we shall die.  What then?

 

We are not alone, unattended.  There is the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother Who will not fail us, nor forsake us. 

 

Psalm 23:4

 

When Jesus meets His saints, no iron gate to pass through.  In a moment, close their eyes on earth, open them in glory.

 

      3.  For a while, this body slumbers.  But our pure spirits the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just we made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant...  Hebrews 12:23.

 

Of that wondrous state, know so little.

Jesus for 3 days.

The thief, today...in Paradise.

 

 

II.  BUT THE GREAT CONSOLATION, CONSUMMATION

 

The glorious, climatic moment when we shall see the Lord in resurrection glory, face to face:  redeemed in both body and soul.

 

      1.  We are deeply, painfully conscious, however spiritually minded we are, near the Lord we live, that while we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord.  Compare:  Paul, Philipians 1:23 far better.  Earth is not heaven, though the believer's begun his heavenly pilgrimage upon it.  Not with Christ as to actual place, sight.  Veil between.

 

      2.  Deeply conscious, though our soul's with Christ, yet our bodies are subject to corruption.  Whether the sealed sepulchers of Israel guard the blessed death of the fathers; or whether scattered to the four winds of heaven is flung the dust of martyrs - yet still with us.  There is yet another grand event:  Job 19:25  I know that my Redeemer liveth...

 

      3.  This infinite glory.

 

___.  This one denotes, accompaniment, fellowship.  Fellowship far closer, intimate than expressed by __.

 

One with Him in resurrection glory.  The veil taken away.  All with Him, intimate association.  We as He is; like Him.

 

Believers identified with Christ.

 

A Shepherd?  Not without His sheep.

A King?  Not without His subjects.

A Bridegroom?  Not without His bride.

A Savior?  Not without His saved.

A Elder Brother?  Not without His younger brothers.

A Redeemer?  Not without His redeemed.

 

We are the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.

 

In due time Christ shall come - last trump sound, voice of archangel heard - but Christ not come without His people.  The saints with Him.

 

Caught up in the clouds - in paradise - in the new earth and heaven - in the grave or in glory - with Him.

 

He ascended - we shall ascend.

A cloud received Him - a cloud shall receive us.

 

He shall descend - we shall descend.

He shall reign - we shall reign with Him.

 

A glory, glory.

If the touch of the hem of His garment enough to heal.

If the sight of Him enough to give life to the dead.

What must it be to have Him actually, literally, really, always!