[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Friday February 3, 2006

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Friday  February 3, 2006

The daily devotions this week are written by Pastor Ludwig, who during this
week of predicted cloudiness in Southeast Michigan, looks at Biblical
references to clouds.

 

I Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command,  with
the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the
dead in Christ will rise first;  then we who are alive, who are left, shall
be caught up together with  them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air;
and so we shall always  be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another
with these words.

 

The word "cloud" is only used seven times in the entire New Testament while
it can be found in fifty references in the Old Testament. In the New
Testament, the writers seem to have reserved this word almost exclusively to
describe the second coming of Jesus or what we Lutherans call "Judgment
Day."

 

Since we live in a George Lucas/Steven Spielberg entertainment culture it is
no wonder that "Left Behind" series of books have gathered such a devoted
following. In these books, Jesus' coming is framed with fear (such as a
pilot of a passenger airliner being "nabbed" by God while in flight) and
terror. Sadly, many Christian would rather believe in such sensationalism
based in fear than what the Bible says.

 

Paul writes to the Thessalonians about that last day when Jesus will come in
the clouds (remember yesterday's text where God is described as riding on
the clouds?). His coming will be one of joyful anticipation akin to a family
reunion. On that day, the dead shall be raised up and God's people shall
live forever with their God. Paul concludes by saying, "Comfort one another
with these words." When you see the clouds in the sky today, remember that
Jesus is coming, in love and comfort to make your life complete and whole!

 

 

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