What happens to believers when they die? When is Jesus coming back? When will we be caught up, raptus, or raptured? How will we know it has happened? What will happen to all the believers who have died before the rapture? Is it ok for me to grieve or mourn when a believer dies?
These are some of the questions the new Thessalonian believers had for Paul. Paul was telling all believers that we have hope which non-followers do not have. This hope should bring joy and encouragement. Then we should encourage others with this truth.
One way to find hope is to seek it in God's word. It was encouraging to me to listen to our LG community read passage after passage about hope in the bible!
My challenge to you this week is to ask God to provide you opportunities to encourage someone this week because of the hope which you have. This is not a wish type of hope. It is anticipation, expectation, confidence type f hope.
Be intentional this week.
Travis
Here are a couple images from the lesson prep regarding the timing of the rapture:
