May we by faith rise to the chal lenge to take God at His Word, applying it to all of our own needs and situations. We must realize that the whole of life is our pulpit in which we must preach this won derful sermon of holiness for all to hear. May we seek His strength en abling us to meet this holy purpose of dedication. Hope is a wonderful word for it speaks of a confident expectation of things to come. We have no question concerning the fact that God performs what He promises. Faith has taught us this while love has confirmed it. Hope grows in faith's vision of the future. This is why a trusting life is not afraid to face the future. One such passage which chal lenges us with the reality of that is I Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is a great passage to memorize. Hum bly ask the Holy Spirit to write its truth indellibly upon your heart. Paul learned that some of the Christians at Thessalonica had died. The remaining believers in the church were disturbed over these losses. They had heard the Apostle's teaching concerning the second coming and were fully persuaded that the Lord was returning very soon. They had hoped they would not have to die; that Jesus would come in their lifetime. They won dered what their position would be compared to those who had died. They were greatly concerned. Paul wrote to clarify his teach ings as the Holy Spirit lead him. He assured them that those who had died believing in the return of the Lord really had not missed any thing. They would not be left out of the Rapture. They, too, would be with Him.
Over the past years we have seen many of our great spiritual leaders finish their race, and go home to be with the Lord. We think of Har ry Ironside, William Pettingill, R. A. Torrey, James M. Gray, as well as countless others who have been used of God to stimulate and strengthen us in our faith. These men lived and died believing that the Lord would come at any mo ment. In addition to such notables there have been many common people. My dear father and moth er, a brother of mine, a little baby from our home, your loved ones, all who are near and dear are a part of that saved multitude. They also loved the Lord Jesus, the Bible, and the church. Having fin ished their race, they ceased from their labors and are at home with Christ. We live in this same confident hope based upon the Word of God. When the Saviour comes all of these who trusted Him in life will be with Him. This is not fiction or fantasy, it is revealed fact. Believ ers have a never-ending continuity. Our life in Him is eternal. Our loved ones in Christ who are now dead are simply absent from the body but present with the Lord. This is the great hope of all be lievers. Vrs. 17 says we will be "caught up in clouds." This does not mean that the day the Lord comes again will have to be overcast. The clouds actually refer to clouds of people. What a sight that will be! The Rap ture could occur at most any mo ment. Think of the great congrega tion that will rise from all over the world from centuries past. Their point of convergence will be the Lord Jesus. The amphitheater will Page 35
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