I’m certain that in the 47 years I’ve been writing this column I have told this story before, perhaps several times.

On one of my seven trips to the Holy Land, as we were descending the stairs from the traditional second-story site of The Last Supper, we heard bitter, angry, shouting voices in a first-floor room. Alarmed, I asked the guide what was wrong and he smiled and said, “Oh, it’s just some Jewish men studying and discussing their scriptures.”

He let me peek into the room and I was shocked at the angry tones and vibes.

It occurred to me that I sometimes heard church meetings performing at that same level.

Our focus this week is a subject of controversy, and it frequently amazes me that Christian brothers and sisters can get so fiercely combative over the Bible. Among the most provocative questions is this: After we die, then what?

One group of Christians argues for immortality: By the grace of God we are designed for the gift of life eternal. Others are just as certain there is no immortality and the dead “sleep” in a safe place until Jesus comes with resurrection for all true believers.

The popular theologian N.T. Wright goes a step further and is quite certain that “’heaven by itself is not the ultimate destination of the Christian. Heaven … is a temporary resting place, in between bodily death and bodily resurrection.”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the Apostle Paul is attempting to answer a controversy that is disturbing the peace of the church at Thessalonica. It may not seem all that earth-shaking to us, but Paul realized the Thessalonian church could be broken apart by it.

The controversy was this: the Thessalonians and other Christians had expected, as had Paul himself, that before they died Jesus would return in glory. It was now apparent Jesus might not return before they died – but what about those Thessalonian Christians who had already “fallen asleep” before the Second Coming? Would they not share in Jesus’ second coming?

In our passage this week Paul is addressing two concerns. First, the follower of Jesus, knowing that one’s destiny is in the hands of the Lord, is freed from living in mortal fear: “And so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (4:18).

This is the most important “Good News” in this letter.

The promise that the grave is not the end makes us confident to live a life before death, as well. In Lloyd Douglas’ Green Light one of his characters observes: “Only a few, comparatively, make use of the immortality concept as a practical measure available here and now … Whatever may be the value of it elsewhere, in some other pattern of life, its chief benefit accrues to us in our daily living.”

Assured of eternity and relieved of the fear of death, we are freed to follow wherever God leads. Second, Paul attempts to correct some erroneous suppositions. First, they need not be concerned about the details of the return of Christ and the life beyond death: “We who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who have fallen asleep” (4:15).

This was one of the specific concerns the Thessalonians raised. Paul indicates how God will bring this day about: “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.” (4:17).

But these details are not the heart of his message. In fact, there is always the danger his readers will become mired in trying to visualize how this will happen. And so he goes on to say: “But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

Paul originally thought Christ’s return was imminent. But that did not happen and he had to acknowledge it was near, but not just yet (Romans 13:11). But later, Paul realized he might die before his hope was fulfilled (Phil.1:20-25). Jesus himself had said this regarding the coming of the kingdom of God (Mt. 24:36).

Our hope and trust are not based on the particulars of the life beyond, the return of Christ and the kingdom of God, but the promises themselves.

Sophie Tucker paid tribute to America’s great songwriter, Irving Berlin, with, “What a wonderful feeling it must be to know while you’re still alive that you’re immortal.” In a sense, that is the advantage we have: To know that while we are “here,” we will eventually be “there,” still in the hands of our Lord, giving us the power to make the most of life before death.

When I was a boy there were four or five wooden covered bridges in Berks County, Pa. I was always fascinated by these tunnels of darkness. Initially, they were a bit frightening, but I was encouraged by the light at both ends of the tunnel.

Longfellow says: “The grave itself is but a covered bridge leading from light to light through a brief darkness.”

On his 80th birthday, John Quincy Adams was asked about his well-being. He replied, “John Quincy Adams is well. But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. It is tottering upon its foundation.

“Time and seasons have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out. Its walls are much shattered and it trembles with every wind. I think that John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon. But he himself is quite well, quite well.”

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Those with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.