“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
According to Google, 41% of readers prefer a happy ending to a story. The fantasy genre is undeniably popular among readers and movie enthusiasts. While reading 1 & 2 Thessalonians, I was transported to an epic final scene for humanity and spirit beings. The ultimate hero returning at the critical moment to bring the happy ending for a faithful battle beaten remnant and destroying the final enemy with ease and unquestionable finality.
As I read these two epistles, and let my imagination paint the picture, I was inspired, awed, and challenged. I’ve read them plenty of times before, but the wording of the new translation resonated on a new level. I’ve asked myself several times since then, have I been reading my Bible like I really, really believe it.
Of course, I believe that Jesus is the Savior coming one day to gather His people, but have I been reading it like I dearly, longingly, and lovingly hold on to the storyline like it’s the ultimate, real-life, fantasy-like, history book that foreshadows the end of all things rather than simply reading it as a guide to live a good life. Can I really picture the giants, the spells, the curses, the rituals, the fallen angels, the anti-Christ the self-centered sins that make the need for a savior so great so necessary? Can I envision all the glory that awaits glorification not just for the human body that’s known pain, but the beauty and breath that hums in the future for all plants, trees, animals, and landscapes. Can I grasp the magnitude of salvation and the power of healing and hope and comfort? Because it’s real. All of it’s happened and the rest, as promised, is approaching. What soberness one needs to consider it all.
Perhaps it’s easy at times to let the epicness of earth, humanity, and spirit realm’s story to get convoluted because there is so much debate regarding its grandness. Truly, the Bible is the most epic war story and love story wrapped into one, with countless characters and stories framed within the ultimate storyline that points to one perfect victor, Jesus Christ.
Think of the challenges or debates one has to overcome when reading the Bible, pondering the Bible, or discussing the Bible, because there are many hot button “issues” regarding the best epic: canonized books only vs pseudo biblical books, translations, commentaries, cultural distance from original cultural context, discerning modern dreams-visions-tongues vs false prophets or teachers, testing every spirit, creationary timelines, waters
above, creation from words, dead bodies being called back to life, human bodies being transformed, humans meeting Christ in the air, dry bones becoming humans, human faces glowing after interaction with divine presence, little g gods, divine counsels about human affairs, angels, demons, giants, leviathan, dragon, flood, fire, pillars of salt, trafficking of souls, politics, generational curses, the skill of learning literal, interpretive, poetic, or apocalyptic books, not to mention active campaigns to minimize, ostracize or eliminate the Bible.
There is so much there, but it’s the most worthwhile endeavor to read, to understand, to apply to one’s life. It’s promised, not just in Thessalonians, that Jesus is coming back, and when He does, He will destroy the enemy and expel the darkness. He’s the antidote to the curse over all the earth. He will set all things right. Judging the deeds and motives. Nothing will be hidden, only pure and holy will remain in His company. And the epistles promise time and again, if we love Jesus and seek to honor Him in this life, we will live with Him forever. Forever.
John Mark Comer wrote in Practicing the Way”, “following Jesus is a whole-life process of being with Jesus for the purpose of becoming like him and carrying on his work in the world. It’s a lifelong journey in which we gradually learn to say and do the kinds of things Jesus said and did as we apprentice under him in every facet of our lives.” This book and 1 & 2 Thessalonians both encourage these ideals, (Comer)“Be with Jesus. Become like Jesus. Do as he did.”
“Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10
“ Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8
