"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
The Interlinear Greek says that the Word translated here, "if," is a "conditional participle, introducing circumstances necessary for a given proposition to be true." You have heard, maybe even used, the phrase, "I can't get my head around it." For those outside the US, it just means, "I can't understand it."
Martha could not "get her head around" Jesus' Word to her, "Your brother will rise again." She seemed to have no idea what was about to happen, that Jesus was saying something which would take those present that day into the Eternal Realm, which no one can "get my head around." Her response was similar to that of the Samaritan woman in her encounter with Jesus, Word of the Father, "Now our fathers say...." Both her's and Martha's, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day," reflect humanity's readily acceptance of the vague "some day" over the Word of our, "Very Present Help in trouble," our Lord Jesus.
I "hold to" the promises of Jesus, not try to "get my mind around" Them;" therefore, for your comfort and mine today, I share His Words: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall always be with the Lord."
Don't try to "get your head around this." Get your heart "around" this.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
