Paul knew that he could provide the information they were missing and help them be at peace with the passing of fellow followers of Jesus Christ. He said, “I don’t want you to lack knowledge about the coming of Christ, ‘lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.’” Paul was about to drop some knowledge that would give them hope concerning the deceased Christians. In verse 14, he said, "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."
When will that day be? In verse 32 Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We don’t know the day or the hour, but we should be able to see the signs and perceive the season. Instead of trying to figure out exactly when He will return, Jesus said that we should always be ready: “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Having said all that, I do not believe Jesus left us in the dark. Throughout the biblical teaching of the end times, there is both warning and promise. In verses 5 through 12 of chapter 13, Jesus warned the disciples of what was coming, but then He ended with the promise in verse 13 that “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” The biblical truth concerning the end of the age is not there to scare the people of God. If we have confessed our sins, asked Jesus into our hearts, and are walking by faith in His Word, then we can confidently look forward and pray with the apostle John, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rv 22:20).
Living the overcomer’s life is not about living a miserable life now and hoping to have a good life someday. It’s about living a victorious life, a triumphant life, an abundant life now, even if it means denying ourselves as we take up our cross daily to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Even if it means we stand against the current of a perverse media-driven culture and refuse to go-along to get-along. We do it gladly, give cheerfully, and live joyfully because we know that the “sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).
