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Selected Messages Book 2
Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord
shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
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in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be
with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (
1
Thessalonians 4:13-18
).
We are not like the heathen, to have days and nights of mourning
when nothing is heard but dismal chanting for the dead, for the purpose
of arousing human sympathy. We are not to clothe ourselves with
mourning clothing and wear a mournful countenance, as though our
friends and relatives were forever parted from us. John exclaims, “Here
is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying
unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;
and their works do follow them” (
Revelation 14:12, 13
).
How appropriate are the words of John in the case of these loved
ones who sleep in Jesus. The Lord loved them, and the words spoken
by them in their life, the labors of love which will be remembered,
will be repeated by others. Their earnest wholeheartedness in the work
of God leaves an example for others to follow, for the Holy Spirit has
worked in them to will and to do of His good pleasure.
“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell
in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by is Spirit that dwelleth in you” (
Romans 8:11
). O how
precious are these words to every bereaved soul! Christ is our Guide
and Comforter, who comforts us in all our tribulations. When He gives
us a bitter draught to drink, He also holds a cup of blessing to our lips.
He fills the heart with submission, with joy and peace in believing,
and enables us to say submissively, Not my will, but Thy will, O Lord,
be done. “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed
be the name of the Lord” (
Job 1:21
). With this submission hope is
resurrected, and the hand of faith lays hold upon the hand of infinite
power. “He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you” (
Romans 8:11
).
The very bodies that are sown in corruption will be raised in incor-
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