19 November | Teens
«Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.» 1 Thessalonians 4: 17
What would you do if you had all the time in the world? Can you imagine being eternal, like our God? Yes, that's one of the greatest promises we find in the Bible. In today's verse, we learn that, when Jesus returns, something wonderful is going to happen. All the people who have believed in Him and have already died will be resurrected. And those of us who are here are going to be transformed. We're going to receive brand new, perfect bodies that will never get sick or feel pain. No tummy aches or annoying colds!
And then Jesus will take us to Heaven, on a thousand-year vacation, before we return to a totally transformed Earth! And we will have eternal life with Jesus! You'll be able to explore universes, travel to all the places you've always wanted to and maybe even fly! Oh, how incredible it would be to fly! It will be an endless adventure, full of joy and discovery. And the best part: we'll live like this forever; without fear, without sadness, without death or pain. And we'll enjoy the presence of Jesus every day of eternity! What wonderful news, isn't it? That's why Paul ends this passage by telling us to “comfort one another with these words.”
Take Action
How about creating a list of things you'd like to do in eternal life? It could be anything from flying to swimming with giant dolphins. Maybe we'll have different fruit there too! Share your list with friends from school and church, or family members, and talk about how amazing it will be to live forever with Jesus. Remember: eternal life is a gift from God to all who believe in Him!