May 9, 2026

OUR GREAT REUNION

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The early believers were anxious. They knew Jesus was coming back, but as their friends and family members began to pass away, they feared those loved ones would miss out on the great event. Paul writes these words to fix their theology and fuel their hope.

1. A Personal Arrival  

Paul says, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven.” Notice that Jesus isn't sending a representative or an angel to gather His children. He is coming personally. Just as the angels told the disciples at the Ascension, "This same Jesus... will come back in the same way you have seen him go." (Acts 1:11). Our hope isn't in a system or a theory; our hope is in a Person.

2. A Creative Miracle  

The promise that the "dead will rise first" can be hard to wrap our minds around. How can someone who passed away centuries ago rise? We must remember that the God who spoke the entire universe into existence out of nothing is not limited by time or decay. If He could raise Lazarus after four days, He can certainly reconstruct a life after four hundred years. Our God is a Specialist in impossible restorations.

3. The Great "Caught Up"  

This is where we get our word "Rapture." In this unique moment, believers are caught up from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. This is our great rescue and our great reunion. While the world faces a season of tribulation, the Church will be with the Lord. Whether we are among those who have passed or those who are still alive, we all end up in the same place: with the Lord forever.

Why did Paul write this? Not so we could argue over charts or dates, but so we could “encourage each other with these words.” Any discussion of the future should result in encouragement, not fear. It’s a reminder that while the news on earth may be heavy, the headline in heaven is a victory.

Today’s Reflection

• Anticipation: Are you living with an "upward look," or are you so bogged down by the earth that you've forgotten Jesus is coming back?

• Readiness: If the "shout" happened today, would you be ready to meet Him with joy?

• Mission: Who is one person you can encourage today with the truth that this world is temporary, but our future with God is eternal?

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to live in constant anticipation of Your return. Forgive me for getting so caught up in the temporary troubles of this world that I lose sight of the glorious reunion ahead. Use me today to encourage someone else with the hope of the Great Reunion. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”