For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV
Descend
Descending is an exciting new weekly TV show now airing on Canada’s Outdoor Life Network, and featuring some stunning underwater video from around the world. Host Scott Wilson, from Brantford, Ontario, though fairly new to scuba, jumps right in to explore some of this planet’s “most remote locations” in the one-hour weekly show. Noting that so much of planet Earth is underwater and so few people get to see this realm firsthand, he said, “We knew it was important to shoot spectacular footage.”
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Every time I read the first chapter of Acts, I try to put myself with the others when Jesus rose to heaven. In His resurrected state, rising to once again take His place in Glory that has been His eternally. There must have been such mixed emotions. None there would want Him to leave, but the awe at just being there must have been overwhelming. So, what a great blessing when the two men came alongside promising His return. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Paul gives greater context to Jesus’ return: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” The return of Jesus is certain. The Kingdom of God will arrive in its fullness, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and King Jesus will reign. Every grave that holds a believer will give up its treasure. Every tear shed at a graveside will be redeemed. Death will not have the final word. Jesus will. So, live today with that assurance and hope filling your heart.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley