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1 Thessalonians 4:13 Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people 14 do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. 15 When we say this, we base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; 17 then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. 18 So encourage each other with these words.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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In a world of zero-sum relationships and "gotcha" moments, the Apostle Paul's words are a reminder that even awesome people make mistakes. Paul was firmly convinced that Jesus would return in his lifetime; but as time wore on and his own death drew near, Paul thought more about the importance of living in the meantime of waiting. When we allow our own will to be molded by the will of God we may sometimes find ourselves in an uncomfortable, but necessary place! Resiliency, flexibility and humility are all marks of a reforming and changing church. Might that teachable spirit infect our own lives?
God grant me peace this day. I surrender my will and my life to you. Teach me anew; make your way through the barred doors of my opinions and prejudices; keep me humble. Amen.
Chris Enstad, '00
Lead Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Madison and Verona, Wis.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.
15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.
16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.(New Revised Standard Version)
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The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
Telephone: (651)641-3456-
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