“Pity the Rest”

1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” After ending the previous three chapters with the hope-inducing assurance of the Second Coming of Christ, St. Paul brings it even stronger in the seventeen verses ending chapter four and beginning chapter five. This hope has guided Christians for two millennia, but now many are questioning its validity. This is partly because it has been misinterpreted as simply a last-ditch escape from disaster, much as the British at Dunkirk. But Christ will come – as a victorious King escorting a victorious bride, His Church. On this first week of Advent, let us be motivated by the hope of Scripture, and glorify the present and coming King!