Journey Into the Future

est of men, who have no hope.”  I Thess 3:13
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” I Thess 3:14
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  1 Corinthians 15:20
According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. I Thess 3:15
The details that Paul gives about the Lord’s coming are a collection of images.
God is able to gather together all the dead with a single command. 
There will be the voice of the archangel.  
There will be the “trumpet call” of God.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. I Thess 3:17
Therefore encourage each other with these words. I Thess 3:18
1. Death is not an end, but a transition
“that to live is Christ and to die is gain,” Philippians 1:21
2. The blessing of the afterlife is not so much a place as a relationship.
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4)
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:3-5)
3. What we know and believe about the future should shape how we live in the present. 
Three ways the second coming of Jesus should shape the way we live in the present.
1. We should strive to live holy and godly lives.
2. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:10-12)
3. We should strive to share the good news with others.  
4. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. (2 Cor. 5:10-11)
5. We should strive to serve the Lord with our whole selves.  
6. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor. 5:14-15)
7. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)