Encourage each other

1 Thess 4:13-18 talks about the coming of the Lord. Paul tells us that the Lord will come and bring with Him those who have fallen asleep and then we will all be caught up in the air with Him. He ends with “therefore encourage each other with these words.” There are many things related to this truth to encourage us.

Encourage the mourning: Jesus is coming, and He’s bringing those who have fallen asleep. Those who have died in Christ are not lost to us. We are separated for a time, and then we will be together again.

Encourage the suffering: Jesus is coming, and He will bring justice for the oppressed. The Lord who said “vengeance is mine” will, in fact, settle all accounts on the Day of the Lord. Though we may suffer for a little while, He will make all right.

Encourage the slothful: Jesus is coming, and His reward is with Him. We have only a little while to work – whether it is the few short years of our lives or the days until the Lord returns. The time to work will end, and then we will be rewarded for what we have done – and asked about what we haven’t.

Encourage the weary: Jesus is coming, and His reward is with Him. Yes, the same words will give nourishment to the weary soul. We only have a little while longer to work, so do not grow weary of doing good. Then you will see the fruit of your labor.