Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 GLORIOUS COMING OF OUR LORD

1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18
 

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians was written to encourage and reassure the Christians in Thessalonica. Thessalonica is the capital city of the Roman Province of Macedonia. Paul had established a church in Thessalonica and preached Christian messages among the non-Jews who were interested in Judaism.  However, there were serious oppositions from the Jews who had promoted Judaism. Under this circumstance, Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica. Later, through his fellow – worker Timothy, Paul got appraised of the situation in the Church at Thessalonica.
The bible passage reveals the second coming of Jesus. The echoes of the gospel continue with Paul’s assertion that Jesus will return with the sound of trumpets (Matthew 24:31) and descend from heaven (Acts 1:11). It is important to note that here Paul asserts that believers will meet the Lord in the air. Those who are alive will be caught up together with the Lord, and those who have already died will meet at this ethereal encounter.
Paul’s complete confidence in the word of the Lord, a prophetic phrase in this instance seems to refer to the words of Jesus. The closest “word of the Lord” as is in the gospel of Mark 13:26–27 and its parallel reference in the gospel of Matthew 24:30-31. There Jesus describes the Son of Man returning in the clouds and the angels gathering from the four corners of the earth to meet Him. This hoped-for event is especially encouraging because those who meet the Lord will dwell with him forever. Paul says that believers will dwell with the Lord. Other passages that affirm this promise are (Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:1-4) that the dwelling will be on a renewed earth.
 Now let us all wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. May the God of peace sanctify us completely, and make whole our spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the hope and assurance that you are coming back for us. Help us to be prepared for your coming. Thank you Father for the promise of eternity for your children. Strengthen us to endure the trials and tribulations that we face in our daily lives. Pray that we hold on to your promises and steadfast love. Shield us with your blood so that no harm or evil will strike against us, in the mighty and precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.

Thought for the Day
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible”.

ROHN MATHEW JOHN
 ST. THOMAS MAR THOMA CHURCH, PATTOR, TRIVANDRUM

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more