Ever with the Lord
S. Martin. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God… This will be the fruition of the brightest hopes, the fulfilment of the precious promises, the accomplishment of the purpose of Christ's Advent, departure, and coming again. I. IN WHAT SENSE with the Lord? 1. Referring to the present state of things, Jesus said, "Where two or three are met together." And we may not overlook that presence now. He is now with us — (1) By God's testimony in the Scripture. (2) By personal ministrations of His Spirit. (3) By His work within us. (4) By His providence over us. (5) By His government of us.And we with Him. (a) By our faith in His testimony and use of it. (b) By frequent thoughts of Him, and much love for Him, and close intercourse with Him. (c) By our work for Him. 2. But the text points to being with Him personally, so as to see His glorified, but now hidden, humanity, hear His voice, and speak to Him as a man speaketh to His friend. II. WHERE? In the place prepared by Himself, designed by the genius of His love; built up by the energy of His power, enriched by the resources of His wealth, adapted to us by the depth of His knowledge and wisdom. You have looked into the home prepared for the bride; you have looked into the cot prepared for the first born. Why so beautiful? To receive an object of love. III. HOW LONG? Only a little time were His first disciples with Him; not long enough to know Him. None of us are long enough with each other to know each other perfectly. It is only when some loved one is taken away, and you put the different passages of His life together, and read them as one continuous story, that you can know what that life has been. While living in the bustle of life we cannot know each other. But hereafter we shall be with Christ uninterruptedly forever. IV. WITH WHAT RESULT? Occasional absence is desirable between man and man. The wife prefers that the husband should be away for a few hours a day at least following his occupation, while she follows hers. Children are all the better for leaving home. But this has no application here. To be always with the Lord is to be always blessed by the Lord. We shall see Him as He is, be like Him, have the advantage of His ceaseless ministrations. Then all that is involved in being with Him will be forever. 1. Life forever. 2. Light forever. 3. Love forever. 4. Rest forever. 5. Joy forever. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: WEB: For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,