“…we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, He will BRING BACK WITH HIM the believers WHO HAVE DIED.” (1 Thess. 4:14-18) Remember where they are, The thief on the cross said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, TODAY you will BE WITH ME in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) “We who are still living…will not meet Jesus ahead of those who have died. 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 (they are sent there to reunite with their bodies). Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be CAUGHT UP (harpazō: to snatch up, to rapture) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord FOREVER. So ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:14-18)
How close are we? “Las Vegas. Now Open!” So declared an ad announcing the reopening of casinos after closures due to COVID-19. But while hundreds of thousands of people streamed into casinos, Nevada churches were prohibited from holding worship services with more than 50 people—under threat of CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. Americans’ level of trust in religious leaders has sunk to 37%, the lowest Gallup has ever recorded. (Gallup Poll, 2020)
As the virus rages through Texas, Arizona and other evangelical bastions of the South and West, some churches that fought to reopen are being forced to close again and grapple with whether it is even possible to worship together safely. Remember, “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham