1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

v15-16: When Jesus returns, descending from heaven to earth, His first concern “on that day will be for his dead saints,” for “he will raise them before the great change comes on those who will be found alive.” Those who have died in Christ will not miss out on the joy and happiness there will be for those who follow Jesus at His second coming.

v17: Those who are alive when Jesus returns “will undergo a mighty change” with their bodies “made fit to inherit the kingdom of God, which flesh and blood in its present state are not capable of.”  Along with those who are raised, those who are changed  “will meet with their Lord to congratulate him on his coming, receive the crown of glory he will then give them, and be assistants to him in the judgment, approving and applauding the sentence he will then pass on the prince of the power of the air and all evildoers, who will be doomed to destruction with the Devil and his angels.”

v18: Isn’t the hope of being “with the Lord, to see him, live with him, and enjoy him forever,” something we can encourage one another with?