The "words" of the text with which God's people are to comfort one another are the words of the context, particularly verses 13 through 17. It should be observed that the apostle speaks of the coming of the Lord in each chapter of this book. It was a theme that brought him much personal delight and comfort, and it likewise comforts all those who have the same hope as did he. It comforts them because it marks the end of this "present evil world" and the beginning of joys unspeakable---joys that will never cease. It comforts them because they are looking forward with sweet anticipation to seeing Christ in all His glory and being with Him forever in total peace, perfection and contentment. 

    It is a great comfort to God's people to have the sweet hope of being one day reunited with their deceased loved ones in the glory world. How distressing would be their loss if they were "without hope" and never expected to see those loved ones again! It is a comfort to have the sweet assurance that we will not only be in the visible and personal presence of Christ, but also in the presence of all His saints, which includes the patriarchs and apostles and all the others of His people that we read of in the Bible. 

    Another great source of comfort is the assurance that when we are "caught up together" with the rest of the elect "to meet the Lord in the air, we shall "ever be with Him." The duration of that happy state is eternal. We cannot comprehend this now, for in our present circumstances everything, and every situation, that we see with our natural eyes has an end, but we will understand it better by and by when faith gives way to full fruition. 

    And again, it is comforting to consider that in the Scriptures death of the body is compared to sleep, because it is a state from which there will be an awakening. David said he would be satisfied when he awoke with the likeness of Christ (See Psalm 17:15). 

    Everything we are told about the resurrection of the righteous and their future state is comforting to those who love the Lord and who are eagerly awaiting His second personal appearing. As we have opportunity, let us comfort one another with these gems of truth that He has left us in His word.