1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Let’s look at some of the WORDS and phrases, the first one is:
BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU TO BE IGNORANT
The word IGNORANT here is a COMPOUND GREEK word from a negative particle and the Greek word (noy-eh’-oh); that means not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication it means to ignore (through disinclination) that is to (be) ignorant, or not to know, or not to understand. It also means to exercise the mind (to observe), that is to comprehend, or to heed to consider, perceive, think, or understand.
And as the compound word, not to perceive or not to know; not to understand or not to comprehend.
Think what Paul is saying, he wants Christians not to be ignorant of things that could cause them harm or heartache, He wants them to have the knowledge that will allow them to have hope to see their friends and love ones again after they have died. We should be aware of all things that could and would save us a lot heartache and grief. You see, ignorance causes GRIEF, there is so much to learn and discover out there. In particular please listen to what the Apostle Paul says in: Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of HIM from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse:”
The phrase or words “CLEARLY SEEN”, means to “BEHOLD FULLY” not to have just a glimpse of something, but to see it all, through our “spiritual eyes”, so that we can have “DIRECTION AND STRENGTH” to do those things that GOD commands us to do. Such as those words Paul said in his letter to the Christians at ROME, please listen or read along with me in:
Romans 12:2 where Paul said “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD.” And know this for sure that this WORLD will conform you, will MOLD you to the pattern of itself, if you don’t continue to be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING your mind, by continuously STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD.
The word transformed is translated from two Greek words, (meta) and (morphoo); which mean to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose”) that is to change, transfigure, transform. So what does this word “metamorphose” mean, well it means the same thing we have been taught in school and in and by nature. It is a change of the form of nature of a thing or PERSON into a COMPLETELY different one,by natural or SUPERNATURAL means. At some time in your life you have seen, by books or in person, remember when you first saw a TADPOLE and when you came back at another time, that TADPOLE had transformed into a FROG, or you have seen some LARVAE and thought “WOW” that’s kind of yucky looking and then all of a sudden, in a day or so you think a double “WOW” because there in the place of that worm you see a beautiful BUTTERFLY OR A BRIGHTLY COLORED MOTH. And by this same METAMORPHOSIS process you should see a CHRISTIAN change from a “BABE IN CHRIST” to a MATURING CHILD OF GOD, until the day he or she goes to be with the LORD, never forget that the BIBLE says “…to be absent from the body, is to be present with the LORD…”. Since I have said that I will go ahead and say that there is no such thing as SOUL SLEEPING, and we will see that in the next verses in Chapter 4 of 1st Thessalonians. Meanwhile, while we are still here, before GOD takes us home by the grave or by the RAPTURE, we are not to be just kicked back taking a siesta or an afternoon nap, but we, as children of GOD, are to be growing into a more mature Christian, so that we can help others who have not been BORN AGAIN to come to know JESUS the CHRIST as their PERSONAL SAVIOR! Remember what the APOSTLE PAUL said in the verse I just read a few moments ago about the “…RENEWING OF OUR MINDS…” we must remember that they are at this time already with JESUS, only their ashes or their dust is in the grave. Jesus has already overcame DEATH HELL and the GRAVE for us and ALL who have been REBIRTHED. And we don’t GRIEVE as those who no hope because we are confident that OUR FRIENDS and LOVED ONES that were SAVED are now resting with JESUS and the FATHER, waiting till we get there on that “HAPPY REUNION DAY”. The only hope that the lost have is that at the moment just before they pass into ETERNITY that they cry out unto the LORD with a confident firm faith, and if they did that, then OUR SAVIOR and SACRIFICE, the LORD JESUS of Nazzerth will save them and they will be ushered into the presence of the LORD. Please NEVER FORGET THIS:
“THAT GOD LOVES US WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE!”
Let’s please don’t forget to always celebrate “OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN OVER US” because of GOD’S LOVE for us! You have the POWER through the HOLY GHOST of GOD to OVERCOME any and all sin.