Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:17
The day of our Lord’s return is going to be a glorious day. No one knows when that day will actually happen except God the Father. Jesus made it clear that only the Father knows the time and the day of His return in Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; and Acts 1:7. But, the day when Christ does return is going to be a day of awe and wonder. As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, all the saints who are currently in heaven are going to be reunited with the earthly shell they have left behind. Some people wonder about the earthly bodies that have been cremated or have been in the grave for a few thousand years. What we need to remember is that God first created Adam out of dirt, and He created Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. God is not going to have any problem resurrecting the earthly shells that have been left behind and making those bodies perfect and complete in Him. Just as Christ was resurrected in body, soul, and spirit, all of the saints in heaven will also be reunited with their resurrected bodies. God lets us know that the graves will be opened in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, and He tells us that “the dead in Christ will rise first.” All the other believers living here on earth will “be caught up together with them (the saints in heaven returning with our Lord) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” That will be one awesome family reunion.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about all the believers who are here on earth when Christ comes for His church?
2. How are you currently living to make sure you’re ready for Christ’s return?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!