Thursday, June 30, 2005

"The Ultimate Reunion"

"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. 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. Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Many of us have family reunions. Some families live relatively close so they see each other frequently. Here in Lancaster County we meet a lot of people who live close to where they were raised. The sense of distance is quite relative. I live in the Mount Joy area and once asked someone if they were from around here and they replied "Oh no, I'm from Manheim", which is a small town only about six miles away!

In my family we're spread all around the country and since we don't see each other regularly a family reunion is a very special time for us. This summer we will meet in northeast Oklahoma for our annual Steincross reunion. We've been doing this since 1975. Prior to that we just gathered at my grandparents little white house in Harwood, Missouri and never actually called it a reunion. But when my grandparents died the next generation began an intentional effort to stay connected. We will meet over a long weekend and then gather to say farewell. Earthly reunions all end that way don't they?

Our daily text speaks of a great future reunion unlike any other. Indeed it will be the ultimate reunion and will include several notable, distinct features.

It will include all of our loved ones who have lived for Christ (believers). Some have been missed at other reunions I've attended. At these reunions some had already gone on to be with the Lord. Others couldn't make it. There will be no transportation problems getting to this reunion. No one will miss because they had to work. Sickness or disabilities won't hinder. No one will be limited by cost.

Our "family" will be greatly expanded. Those who followed Christ will be there from every tribe and language and people and nation. The redeemed from all the ages will be at this reunion. Our common bloodline will be the divine, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ!

It will be in the loveliest location; far, far exceeding any beautiful place on this earth. Now I've been to some mighty pretty areas as the Creator sure made a masterpiece on this earth. But this reunion will be in heaven. Theologian R.C. Sproul asserts that the remarkable descriptions we have of heaven in the Bible are greatly understated.

This reunion will be forever. No more tearful hugs of departure. No more, "See you next year" when that just may not be. "We will be with the Lord forever." Notice that wonderful pronoun "we", which refers to both the dead in Christ and those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.  And it will include the abiding presence of the Lord. That will be the very best part.

Won't it be wonderful there! So today I "encourage each other with these words."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I pray that You will capture our minds and draw our hearts to future events. May we with child-like anticipation keep our attention drawn to the eternal truths of Your Word.  And may these spiritual truths turn our face toward heaven. Our future home where we will enjoy a sinless atmosphere, never-ending fellowship with our brothers and sisters and the majesty of Your presence forever.  Amen.