Pauline Reflections 02 - 12th July 2008

PAUL AND ESCHATOLOGY

'HE WILL COME AGAIN IN GLORY
TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD'

Each time we recite the Nicene Creed we reflect and proclaim our faith in the coming again in glory of our Lord to judge the living and the dead. This theme was very dear to Paul. He emphasises again and again the reality of the end times, a future world beyond the end of the normal time when Jesus will come back ... “For what is our hope or joy or crown to boast of in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming if not you yourselves?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19. See also 1 Thessalonians 3 :13; 5: 23; 1 Corinthians 15:23. 

At some point Paul even taught that he will be alive when this return of Jesus will finally take place and he exhorts the Thessalonians who were worried about loved ones who had died and their fate. “Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 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.” 1 Thessalonians  4:15-17. 

This coming of the Lord will bring about a fulfilment of union with the Lord. His exhortation reassures hope both for the living and the dead. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 he stressed the need of preparedness. “Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, peace and security, then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." Obviously, Paul plays on words, directing our minds to our ultimate reunion with Christ, while anticipating our own death as well. Also he suggests a sense of an unexpected end. 

However, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, in contrast he mentions several events of deception that will occur first before this coming. “ We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a sprit, or to be alarmed either by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let none deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition ...” 

Paul further develops this theme in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 and urges all Christians metaphorically including himself to long and groan for this perfect union with God, which comes about in death. 

 Prayer

Lord Jesus, we are pilgrims on earth and heaven is our true home. Our hearts are truly restless until they rest with you.  Give us the grace to live well and prepare for your coming in glory. Amen.