We Will Always Be With The Lord — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
Aug 26, 2026 5
Whether dead or alive when Jesus returns, everyone who belongs to Jesus will always be with the Lord.
[16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 ESV)
Paul gives us an incredible picture of what will happen when Jesus returns. The Lord himself will descend from heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then the believers who are still alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord.
Some people use this passage to create complicated timelines about the return of Jesus or to suggest that Christians might be left behind.
But when Jesus returns, no believer will be left behind. He is wrapping things up.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Howard Marshall describes the picture as citizens going out from their city to meet a visiting dignitary and accompany him back.
The most important thing is not working out every detail of the clouds, the trumpet, or the voice of the archangel.
The important thing is Paul’s promise: “And so we will always be with the Lord.”
Whether believers have already died or remain alive when Christ returns, from that moment we will be with Jesus forever.
This is why the Heidelberg Catechism says that our comfort is that we are not our own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our future is secure because we belong to Jesus. He will raise us and gather us to himself.
That is why Paul concludes, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” This truth is not given for speculation, but for comfort.
The Good News Is…
The Jesus who died and rose again will return for everyone who belongs to him. No Christian who has died will miss out, and no believer who is alive on that day will be left behind. The dead in Christ will rise, and together we will meet the Lord.
Our hope is not finally in working out every detail of his return. Our hope is Jesus himself: in life and death, we belong to him, and when he comes, we will always be with the Lord.
Reflection
How does the promise that you will always be with the Lord give you comfort in the face of death? Who could you encourage today with these words?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited