1 Thessalonians 4:18

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words”

“Comfort”: To call near, invite, invoke (by imploration, exhortation or consolation). “One another”: The responsibility is mutual. “With these words”: Hence something is wrong when people say, “I read the Bible, but. could not find any help or encouragement in what it says”, or “I did read the Bible but it did not do anything for me”. Let's resist the temptation to alter the message, just because something is wrong with the hearer! The person who views what Paul wrote as the word of God, will find encouragement and comfort, because "these words" settle the matter for that person. “It is interesting that he does not urge them simply to faint not. These tidings, he thinks, should impel them to be active in seeking one another out and strengthening one another. And well they might. for it is an inspiring thought that death makes no difference to our relationship to the Lord. The thought gives meaning to existence, and suggests the certainty of ultimate triumph. He (Paul) is not suggesting that he has made. guess, which he believes to be. good one, and of which they may care to make good use. He speaks ‘by the word of the Lord'. It is not one Paul's guesses or our own that our strength rests. It is on what God has revealed” (Morris pp. 147-148).

One more time as we close this section, be impressed with the restraint with which Paul writes about the greatest event yet to come in human history. Contrast his words with the multitude of theories that exist concerning the "last day".. think. will accept Paul's view, because he spoke God's word!