The Christians of the ancient city of Salonika are gathered together for one of their weekly meetings. One of the elders rises and says: " Dear brethren, you will be pleased to know that a letter has come from the beloved Apostle Paul. This letter I will now read ".
Great interest manifests itself on the faces of all present as they set themselves in a listening attitude. Notice especially that keen young brother over there, as he leans forward on his elbow and fixes his gaze on the speaker. Shall we, for convenience, call him Aristarchus? It may, indeed, be he of Acts 20:44And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4).
The elder begins to read. First comes a loving greeting, and words which show how warm a place the Thessalonian saints have in the apostle's heart. He reminds them how they had turned to God from their idols, and were now waiting for His Son from Heaven. Our young friend's eyes gleam with pleasure. How well he remembers the day when he received the glad tidings, and committed himself to the Savior for time and eternity. Now he is waiting for His return.
But he is not, let us suppose, quite certain as to what his Lord's Coming will mean for him. He has a tender conscience, and mourns over the many times he suffers defeat in his daily conflict with temptation and sin. Is it possible that such as he may not share in the joy of that day?
The elder continues. The letter speaks of the Thessalonian converts being Paul's " crown of rejoicing " at the Coming of the Lord. Aristarchus whispers to himself: " At all events I am one of these ".
Then comes a thrilling moment. The reader, slowly, and with added emphasis, utters the memorable words of the fourth chapter: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord". Attention is strained to the utmost. Something of transcendent importance is to follow. What is it?
" We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (i.e., precede) them which are asleep. 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; then we which are—."
Aristarchus can hardly contain himself. Oh, what will the letter say next? Will it be: " we which are faithful", or " we which are watching ", or what?
The reader proceeds: " We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air ".
A look of intense thankfulness comes over the face of our youthful friend. Tears of gratitude come into his eyes. " Thank God," he says to himself, " if I am dead when Jesus comes, I shall rise; if I am alive, I shall be caught up. Unworthy as I am, and full of failure, I have the promise of `the Word of the Lord ', and that is sure ".
There are many who, like the young brother we have pictured, have received assurance of having part in the translation of the saints through the golden words of 1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17). With Denham Smith they now joyfully sing:
" And this I shall find, for such is His mind,
He'll not be in glory and leave me behind".