I’ll never forget the first time I stood beside the grave of someone I deeply loved. My heart felt heavy, like I had lost something I could never get back. I believed in heaven, but I still hurt. I still wept. I still wondered how long until I’d see them again. It was then that the truth in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 became more than just words on a page—it became my hope.
Easter reminds us that Jesus didn’t just die—He rose again. But the story doesn’t end there. After He rose, He walked out of the tomb, spent time with His disciples, and then, in plain sight, ascended into heaven. That same Jesus, who defeated death and returned to His Father, promised to return. And when He does, it won’t be quietly. There will be a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. Paul tells us, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them… and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
This is not just about Jesus rising from the dead. It’s about us rising, too. Easter proves that death is not the end of the story for anyone who believes in Him. We don’t grieve like people with no hope because our hope is alive. His name is Jesus. I’ve had days when grief tried to steal that hope. I’ve questioned, wrestled, and waited. But then Easter comes, and I’m reminded that the tomb is still empty. Jesus didn’t just rise and disappear—He rose, ascended, and is coming again. And when He does, He’s coming for us.
If you’ve ever stood by a graveside or felt the sting of loss, I want you to hear this: You are not forgotten. Your loved ones in Christ are not forgotten. There is a day coming—maybe sooner than we think—when Jesus will split the sky, and every believer, living and dead, will be gathered to Him. That’s not a fairy tale. That’s a promise from the risen King.
This Easter, as we celebrate the resurrection, let’s not stop there. Let’s also look up. Jesus is alive, yes—but He’s also returning. And on that day, there will be no more separation, no more pain, no more death—just joy, just life, just Jesus—forever. So, hold on to that hope. Encourage one another with these words. And when life gets hard, remember what Easter really means: He rose. He ascended. He’s coming back for us. And because He lives, so will we.
