Friday 21 April - Encouraging Each Other To Look Forward To The Family Reunion In Heaven

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Do you ever think about heaven and what it will be like?

I think your answer to that question might depend on your age. When you’re young there doesn’t seem to be much motivation for thinking about heaven. But as we get older, we are confronted by human mortality. Soon, family and friends whom we love have passed away from this life, and we begin to think more about what it will be like to be reunited with them.

Who are you excited to see when you finally get to heaven? Of course, nothing will compare to meeting with and worshipping the Lord in person. But who else do you want to see? I have recently seen a clip of pastor Alistair Begg, who really wants to interrogate the prisoner who died on Jesus’ left when he was on the cross. How on earth does Jesus’ promise that “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43) accord with his understanding of Scripture?!

But along with famous Bible characters and famous Christians throughout history, many of us will be excited to see family and friends whom we miss terribly.

It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be joyful. It’s going to be emotional. Paul encourages us to encourage each other with the hope we have that one day this great, big family reunion will happen.

Death is not the end! We will see our loved ones again. We will be with God and with them for eternity. Be encouraged!

Think It Over

Think about the following:

How does knowing about the coming family reunion in heaven motivate you to tell others about God’s good news?