Love strong as Death

God commends his love to us as unique - love to sinful enemies. But we sometimes wonder if it will continue. Through Paul, the Spirit assures us that even death cannot separate from the love of God. There is hope for our loved departed saints. When Christ returns the first thing he will do is call them from the grave to meet him as he appears. The living will then join them. Two longings will be satisfied - their longing for him, and his longing for them. Just as his love continued in all ages of his church, so it will continue in all stages of the believer's existence. God keeps his covenant promises - he is 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' although their bodies are in the grave; since he is 'God of the living' they must rise from the dead. Job knew that God would have 'a desire for the work of your hands' (Job 14:15). Jesus prayer is that they we will see his glory. Only that will satisfy. It will be in the Father's house, and will lead to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The love of God is as strong as the grave.