Be Alert, Occupying & Waiting – He’s Coming

When Jesus Christ was on earth, His followers asked Him about the timing and signs for the end of this age. He started His response with these words “Take heed that you not be deceived“ which is recoreded three times in the Gospels (Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8). Later in Matthew 24, Jesus continued His teaching with parables about preparedness and this key statment. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (verse 44).

1 Thessalonians was written to encourage and comfort new Christian converts (saved by faith alone) to maintain ‘worthy’ conduct as they looked forward to Christ’s return. The emphasis of Paul’s first letter to them is HOPE. Hope because (1) their salvation is confirmed, (2) Christian service will be rewarded, (3) trials are a part of sanctification that purifies, (4) Christ will gather all of His own (deceased or living), and (5) Christ’s coming is imminent.

The letter is sprinkled with reminders of the anticipated return of the Lord (through all 5 chapters: 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23). So if new converts found hope in Christ’s return, why don’t all modern-day Christians enjoy discussing this common hope? Why is it controversial?

Introduction: The Spectrum of Orthodox Christian Belief

As I began my study of the letters to the Thessalonians, I considered the various interpretations of ‘last things’ within Orthodox Christianity, which includes a spectrum of non-heretical thought. Some people consider themselves to be orthodox (conforming to established doctrine), but deny a literal and future return of Jesus Christ. During Christ’s life on earth, His teaching concentrated on two key concepts that every follower of Christ must agree on for salvation.

The first brings justification (salvation), and the second is the essential fruit of salvation.

1. Justification:
   • Pardoned/made righteous in God’s sight. This is the Father’s redemptive plan of reconciliation to Himself by His grace through total reliance on Christ’s death and resurrection as sufficient atonement for sin. (Grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the means of human salvation; no human works can earn justification).
     • By God’s grace through faith in Christ alone – John 15:16; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:2, 15; Romans 9:16; Romans 11:6; Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:7;1 John 4:10, 19
2. Essential Fruit of Salvation:
   • God (who is love) commands all people who seek reconciliation with Him to repent (to turn from unbelief and disobedience to Him) with love for Him preeminently, and then each other because of faith. (Regeneration, birthed through the Holy Spirit, is the means of having faith and love.)
     • Repentance – Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19
     • Love God & each other – Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; John 8:42; 1 Corinthians 13:2, 13; 2 Timothy 1:131 John 4:8, 20; 1 John 5:2

• A study of church fathers from 40 A.D. with Peter and Paul, through to 200 A.D. with Ireneaus (and beyond) consistently taught this. In doing your own research, here are some church fathers to investigate for their teaching on the literal/physical future return of Jesus: Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Papias, Aristides, Barnabus, Theophilus, Melito, Justin, and Athenagoras. The Didache likewise affirms this belief.

After Jesus rose from the dead and before He ascended, Jesus met with His disciples and explained that the times were not for them to know. In essence, they were to share the great hope of salvation made available through faith and to live ready for His return. Consider this passage:

• Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ” (Acts 1:6-7)

Before Jesus suffered and died as the suffering servant of God, Jesus had already told the disciples that He was going away, that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, and what the signs of the end of the age would be.

After Christ’s resurrection, when the disciples asked about the kingdom being restored to Israel, Jesus did not deny that the kingdom He would physically reign over would be restored to Israel; He just refocused their priorities.

• The body of Christ is made up of regenerated Jews and Gentiles, and as His body, we, as one new-creation people of God, share in a glorious inheritance eternally. That said, the creation of the church does not render other aspects of God’s redemptive plan obsolete. This study of Thessalonians will not focus on people groups; it will focus on Christ’s return.

If the disciples were wrong, Jesus would have corrected their thinking, just like He had throughout the gospels. Instead, He affirmed the timing was under the Father’s authority. In short, the message is implicit: get busy, be watching, and be ready.

• “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now, when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:8-11)

So, regardless of the denomination you belong to and your interpretation, if the Bible has authority in your life, the established teaching in the Bible from Christ and His Apostles states:

• “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)
• “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)
• Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)
• 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 we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

And with this said, let’s dive into my actual notes on 1 Thessalonians with love for the Godhead, His redeemed church, and anyone who has ears to hear the call to trust Christ for pardon of their sin.

Segment 1: About the Thessalonians

What happens to your hopes and dreams when extended periods of waiting cause fatigue? We know waiting can produce varied responses in individuals. Some may become weary and abandon their goals, thinking them impossible, while others persist but only in a passive or distracted manner. Others may actively and fervently pursue their objectives despite the delay.

Now imagine how the anticipation intensifies amid trials, testing, or persecution related to the long-awaited aspirations. Will you stand firm and be alert? Can you be convinced you are hoping in vain? Please grab your Bible and follow along.

1 Thessalonians 1 – The Fruit of Their Salvation

In chapter 1, we learn that Paul is with Silvanus and Timothy. 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 6 indicates that Timothy had returned with a good report about the Thessalonians, so it is likely the letter was written sometime during Paul’s stay in Corinth (Acts 18:1, 5) between 49 – 51 A.D. during his second missionary trip. As you know, Scholars have varying ideas on the dating of various events, but it is generally believed that Christ ascended to heaven between 30 and 33 AD, so at a minimum, 16 years had passed, and at a maximum, 21 years had passed.

The Thessalonians were introduced to the gospel through 3 weeks of Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:1-3). Within this time, Paul not only explained from the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead (Isaiah 53:9-12; Psalms 2:7; Psalms 16:10-11; Hosea 6:2; Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40; Acts 2:25-28), but that He would return for His church to deliever them from the wrath to come (Isaiah 25:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10). Of course, this resulted in a mob protesting the teaching and a riot in the city (Acts 17:4-11) so Paul and Silvanus (a Greek variant of Silas) were sent away by night to Berea.

Paul, Silvanus and Timothy continually prayed for the Thessalonian converts (comprised of Jews, Greeks and quite a few influential women). These church founders remembered the Thessalonians for their faithful work, loving deeds, and the enduring hope in Jesus Christ. There are a few keywords we should consider.

Let’s look up 1 Thessalonians 1:3 in a few different Bible translations, and then let’s look at some of the terms used:

• verse 3 NKJV – remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
• verse 3 NLT – As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• verse 3 NASB95 – constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

Now, Paul absolutely taught that salvation is an unmerited gift of God (no amount of work can earn the price Christ paid to purchase your slavery from sin and atone for God’s wrath). Here are some references for Paul’s teaching on this: Ephesians 2:5, 8; Romans 3:23, 25-26; Romans 4:5, 16; Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 1:29.

So what would these three terms mean to the person who has been gifted God’s grace through faith?

Work of Faith: Strong’s G2041 – ergon (English – work). It is toil as an effort or occupation. Jesus and Paul both spoke of deeds that accompany salvation as evidence of doing the Father’s will. This would be the preoccupation with the Father’s business (to save and tend to souls).

“Works” that accompany the justified believer, as taught by Jesus and Paul (click to expand).

• “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

• “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. – (Mark 13:34)

• “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:21)
• Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. (John 4:34)
• “But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish – the very works that I do – bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. (John 5:36)
• eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek glory, honour, and immortality; (Romans 2:7)
• Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith APART from the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
• And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, work is no longer work. (Romans 11:6)
• Speaking of those whom God has justified: each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
• And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
• For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
• that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)

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Labour of Love: Strong’s G2873 – kopos (English – labour). It is to labour intensely to the point of wearisomeness, united with trouble; exhausting physically or mentally.

This might sound so counter-cultural to the Western world. If we love God, we are increasingly willing and graced to labour for Him and His children obediently to the point of exhaustion, since it is a work of love (it will not be a burden).

• Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:1-3 NLT)

“Labour/Kopos” is used in various New Testament passages (click to expand).

• in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours,^[G2873] in sleeplessness, in hunger (2 Corinthians 6:5 NASB95)
• Are they servants of Christ? – I speak as if insane – I more so; in far more labours,_^[G2873] in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. … I have been in labour ^[G2873] and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11:23, 27 NASB95)
• For you recall, brethren, our labour ^[G2873] and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9 NASB95)
• And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labours,^[G2873] for their deeds follow with them.” (Revelation 14:13 NASB95)

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Steadfast Hope: Strong’s G5281 – hypomonē (English patient/steadfast). This is cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy – enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)

“Steadfast/Hypomonē” is used in various New Testament passages (click to expand).

• “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
• eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality; (Romans 2:7)
• And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
• But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:25)
• Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:6)
• For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (Hebrews 10:36)
• knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:3)
• “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:1)
• Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

Steadfast Hope: Strong’s G1680 – elpis (English hope). This is a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.

• looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13)
• that having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)
• And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)

Friends, Paul knew that these believers were established by the election of God (1 Thessalonians 1:4) by whose grace they would endure all things! There is no way a person could continue to be preoccupied with the Lord’s business, labour intensively with love to the point of physical or mental exhaustion, with a cheerful and patient hope, despite having no known date of arriving at the expected goal. In fact, Jesus said:

• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

The remaining 5 verses (5 – 10) explain that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was received by the Thessalonians in the way Christ promised (John 16:7-11):

• through the preaching of the Word (the truth spoken with passion and empowered by the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of sin);
• in power (the message of eternal life through faith in God’s Son, as evident by His resurrection);
• by the Holy Spirit (His effectual power and presence to change the heart and birth faith);
• with much assurance (that the word was the truth, especially since Paul had been so miraculously changed from a persecutor of the church to a preacher willing to endure hardship waiting for the blessed hope of Christ’s return);
• by the example of the Apostles (who loved them and worked diligently without asking them to support their stay).

The Thessalonians’ conversion resulted in rejoicing in the Holy Spirit despite the suffering they endured. Suffering and rejoicing simultaneously is possible when there is great persuasion and confidence in the anticipated outcome. The Thessalonians were following the examples of Christ (Hebrews 12:2⁠) and the apostles, who endured suffering and lived in obedience to God the Father. Although Paul had spent only three weeks discipling them, the Holy Spirit worked within them so mightily that they became examples to the people of Greece, Macedonia and Achaia. The Greeks, who had many gods (Acts 17:22-31⁠), took great note of the Thessalonians’ abandonment of their idols to serve the living God with unwavering faith. Their testimony spread so far that wherever Paul went in the region, the residents told him about them.

• And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us ¹from the terrors of the coming judgment. (1 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT)

Note: ^1- Other translations state “from the wrath to come”. This wrath (Matthew 24:21) will be discussed further in study notes on 2 Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 2 – Paul’s History with the Thessalonians

As Paul continued on in his letter, he recounted the things that led up to their meeting and the time they spent together. As we consider the next few verses, we should reflect on our motives for service to the Lord and His church.

Paul’s Persecution En Route to the Thessalonians

While Paul was preaching the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, many of the Gentile converts were being troubled by Jewish claims concerning circumcision. Remember, this was within 20 years of the church’s formation, and previously, if a Gentile wanted to come into covenant with Yahweh (Jehovah), they would need to proselytize into Judaism. But the Lord was at work converting the hearts and souls of Gentiles without the works of the law, as seen in the account of Cornelius’ conversion (Acts 10:34-48). So, after meeting with the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:1-29), they all confirmed that the Holy Spirit saves without works of the flesh. The council simply stated:

• For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:28-29)

Then Paul, Barnabas, Judas, Silvanus, and Mark left the council to spread the news of the freedom they could enjoy in Christ at  Antioch. Having done so, Paul and Silvanus carried on travelling and strengthening the churches in Syria and Cilicia. When they evangelized through Derbe and Lystra, they met Timothy (son of a Jewish mother and a Greek Father). Timothy was circumcized just to avoid issues in their ministry because of a group in the region (Acts 16:3).

It is all too common for people to shun others because they have different traditions or backgrounds. Here we see that sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others was the top priority; the liberty of the preacher was held secondary. Paul elaborates on this in Romans 14. We should all remember the law of liberty and love:

• But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:10-13 NKJV)

After Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia with much success, the Holy Spirit prevented them from entering  Asia and Bithynia. Paul had a nighttime vision calling him to Macedonia. They proceeded to Philippi (in Macedonia), where they met Lydia (a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira). Acts 16:14-15 states that she worshipped God, and the Lord opened her heart to believe Paul’s preaching.

I find this remarkable. The first convert to Christianity in Europe was this woman (whom I believe was a Gentile because (1) her name is the feminine of Ludios, which is not of Jewish origin, and (2) there is no mention of her husband). The other remarkable thing is that she worshipped God but had not been introduced to the One (Jesus) by Whom all must come to the Father.

Jesus said:

• … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
• “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

God by His election arranged a divine appointment (Romans 8:28-30). It wasn’t the first time (Acts 8:26-39), and I’m sure it is not the last! Praise God!

God can reveal Himself and His Son (Proverbs 30:3-6) by His Spirit and still delights in using flawed humans and rewards them for doing so (Romans 10:12-15; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 9:16-24). What a gracious God!

The resurrection is one of the great credentials of our Lord. While He was on earth, He performed mighty deeds before crowds and His enemies. Eyewitnesses have died rather than refute their accounts. Everyone who has died and been resurrected has died again except Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He rose from the dead and was seen ascending bodily into heaven! He has the power of resurrection. Jesus said,

• … “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
• “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, “and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice “and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:24-29)
• “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Revelation 1:18)

The letter to the Hebrews explains that the Son of God is at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for anyone who comes to Him in faith, believing:

• Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, He created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave Him is greater than their names. (Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT)
• … there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23- 25 )

Lydia convinced Paul to stay in her home, so he remained and ministered in Philippi. A slave girl who was possessed started following Paul around. Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave in the name of Jesus Christ, and it left. Without the evil spirit’s presence, she was incapable of fortune-telling and therefore unprofitable to her owners (Acts 16:16-30). With this, Paul and Silvanas were taken to the authorities with the accusation of creating trouble by teaching “customs which are not lawful” for Roman citizens to receive or observe. They are beaten and imprisoned for a short time. While they were in chains, they were rejoicing (praying and singing hymns to God).

• Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (Acts 16:26-32)

After the magistrates learned of all of this and the fact that Paul was also a Roman citizen, they pleaded with Paul to leave. He returned to Lydia’s house, encouraged the believers and left Phillipi.

Paul’s Conduct with the Thessalonians

In verses 1-6, we read that Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were fruitful in their time with the Thessalonians; Acts 17: 4 states some Jews, a great multitude of Greeks and quite a few prominent women converted. By God’s strength, they courageously proclaimed the gospel even though they had just left Philippi, where they had suffered. In fact, they continued to experience intense opposition to the message of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ from many in the Synagogue.

How many times do we give up on advancing God’s kingdom when our message is met with objections or even apathy? But if our motives and methods are approved by God, the Lord will indeed bring a harvest.

Although the apostles could impose demands on the people because of the authority of Christ (Luke 10:7), Paul’s preaching was delivered:

• as pleasing to God without fear of men (or the desire to please people)
• without deceptive or impure motives that usually result in self-indulgent extravagance.
  • In verse 3, the NKJV uses Strong’s G167 – akatharsia (English: Impurity, uncleanness). The New Testament uses this word to point to inner defilement that expresses itself in outward acts.
• without flattery to disguise any covetousness, and
• without seeking self-glory.

Paul (a converted Pharisee) demonstrated that their service and stay with the Thessalonians was from pure motives; it was actually in contrast to what they experienced from religious and secular leaders. Jesus taught about fraudulent, hypocritical religious leaders in Matthew 23:1-28.

The Gospel is Love in Word and Deed

Paul compared his service as a mother who loves and nourishes her babies from her own substance night and day, as needed to sustain life without gaining from her infant. They did everything in their power to be holy, righteous and faultless (1 Thessalonians 2:7-10). Their behaviour was their testimony of the change the Holy Spirit births in the life of one saved through faith in Christ.

The Lord also makes reference to nurturing and protective love typified by mothers and hens as a function of like giving and protection (Matthew 23:37; Deuteronomy 32:11; Psalm 17:8)

Then Paul compared their conduct to a father who encourages, guides, and comforts his children to do what is right (1 Thessalonians 2:11).

The result and reward of this love was that they would:

• … walk worthy of God who calls … into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

What should be the reward for Christian service? If our love and devotion are for Christ, shouldn’t our reward be to produce the fruit He desires (not only our development, but also the growth of those who are coming to Him)?

• If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. … Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:1-4, 16-17)

The effect of God’s love within the apostles and the power of the Holy Spirit on their teaching resulted in the Thessalonians reception and adoption of the lifestyle that accompanies saving faith. Within the three weeks Paul, Silvanus and Timothy stayed with them, they realized their devotion to Christ was the same as the other churches of God in Judea. The first converts after Christ’s ascension were primarily Judean Jews (regardless of nationality; Acts 2:5-10, 40-47), and their churches were established for almost 20 years before the Thessalonian church was established.

The Judean churches were persecuted by fellow Jews because this new way that Christ established violated many of the Jews’ traditions, and they did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (which Jesus said was a fulfillment of prophecy). When Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the leaders forbade them from speaking in the name of Jesus Christ. I love Peter’s public declaration and the unified church’s prayer for boldness upon Peter and John’s release:

This is the same “converted attitude” that the Thessalonians had because the Holy Spirit within them produced the love, devotion, and courage to stand immovable in Christ and His gospel despite the persecution they now faced for believing. The persecution wasn’t limited to restricting the message to those in the Jewish tradition; verse 16 states that they were also forbidding the apostles from sharing the truth of Christ with the Gentiles (which would only amount to filling up the amount of wrath they would experience at their judgment).

The remaining verses in this chapter (17 – 20) conclude with affirmation. Paul continued to emphasize his godly and parental love for them by expressing his yearning to see them in person. In verse 18, Paul acknowledged that Satan hindered Paul (specifically) from returning at this point of the letter; in chapter 3, we learn Timothy was able to return.

So, within this passage, we learn that Paul’s nurturing of his spiritual children had already included teachings about Satan. In verse 18, Paul reminded this newly formed church that spiritual warfare (in which humans are often the enemy’s agents) affects real-world experiences. We also glean that Satan’s hindrances (permitted by the Lord) worked out for a greater victory since each time Paul could not return to Thessalonica, he continued onward to spread the good news of Jesus Christ’s triumph at the cross, His resurrection, and His soon return.

Hindrances can be Sovereign redirection or opportunities to overcome trials. The Holy Spirit’s leading provides optimal guidance for the best outcomes because we are greatly loved.

As it is written:

• What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:31-37)

With the love of Christ in his heart, Paul’s greatest joy would be to see those Christ entrusted to his care united together with him at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (verses 19 & 20). This is a truly Godly attitude. Jesus left His throne in glory to redeem many brethren (Hebrews 2:11-15; Matthew 12:50; John 20:17), and since it’s God’s will to make His children like Christ, we should have this same attitude! Our greatest joy is to see God’s children overcoming in this life and united together with Christ at His coming.

This being the case, post conversion, among our many priorities, what is our chief priority? Who has God entrusted you with? Does this reach beyond your immediate family? What are you willing to do with hindrances for the Lord’s sake?

1 Thessalonians 3 – Timothy’s Testimony of Thessalonian Conduct

At this point in the letter, Paul expressed the relief and joy he experienced upon hearing Timothy’s testimony about the Thessalonians’ steadfastness. Paul taught that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ, and that nothing can separate a regenerated person from the love of God in Christ because of the seal of the Holy Spirit. Yet Paul was anxious about their growth and stability. Feeling the responsibility of a parent, he was concerned that he had left the newly born community alone without mature leadership to guide them. While their salvation is of paramount importance, one cannot say that it is all that matters to Christ.

When Paul was whisked away from Thessalonica to safety because of the uprising against the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Thessalonians were left in a society where hordes of adversarial, violent individuals (Acts 17:5-8) dared to :

• break into homes
• drag believers into the streets, and
• bring accusations of treason against Caesar to the city officials.

Although Paul had taught the Thessalonians that the apostles were going to be persecuted, Paul did not want the Thessalonians to be intimidated by the enemy to the point of being unfruitful. The enemy has a record of tempting God’s people to be disobedient and even unsuccessfully tried to tempt our Lord to gain the kingdoms of the earth in a way that God had not designed. Matthew 4:8-11. He also leverages fear to limit a believer’s effectiveness.

In Christ’s letter to Smyrna, He told them:

• “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

Paul did not want the Thessalonians to be cheated of the great reward Christ grants the faithful. Paul viewed his role as having greater responsibility than merely drawing converts to Christ; he wholeheartedly believed he was to make disciples of Christ (which is precisely what Christ told His disciples to do). Paul knew that discipleship has a cost. Jesus taught:

• “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39)

So Timothy was sent to establish and exhort them so that their trials would be fruitful in making them holy. Jesus said:

• “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

Friends, trials are a part of consecration. Persevering through them purifies your faith, love and motives and develops the Holy Spirit’s gift of patience. That is a great reward in and of itself, yet our gracious Lord is so wonderful to lay up additional heavenly rewards for believers who faithfully endure the growth process.

As it is written:

• My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
• Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)
• For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

When Timothy returned to Paul with the report that the Thessalonians were steadfast in their love and faith and that they also longed to see him, Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand the extent of comfort and joy they were to him! His labour was not unfruitful! This news brought reinvigoration to Paul’s life because, before the news, Paul was growing weary with concern for these new converts amid his own trials and distress (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8). But now Paul’s quality of life was flourishing despite his own trials.

Friends, hearing of God’s faithfulness in upholding believers is a reminder that He cares for all of us. Regardless of the progression of maturitation, the circumstances we face, and the physical distance from other strong believers, God will uphold us with His Word by His Holy Spirit! Praise God!

But, because of loyalty to Christ and His body, Paul’s love longed to meet with the Thessalonians to fill in the gaps or correct some misunderstandings they had concerning their faith (the hope of all believers in Christ’s accomplishments and what it provides – 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10).

This segment ends with Paul’s prayer for the Lord to make a way for the apostles to return to these young believers. He also prayed that this already loving church would grow in love and that their hearts would progress in sanctification (holiness) so that they could stand before God, the Father, when His Son appears. Let’s look at this prayer and pray this for each other:

• And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
• For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (1 John 3:20-21)
• And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28)
• Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)
• Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
• let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)

Segment 2: Apostolic Instructions to the Believers

1 Thessalonians 4 – Sanctification, Love and Comfort at Christ’s Coming

Although there are so many aspects of this letter that are rich in Theological and Christological truth, if you have to take only one thing away from this letter, I pray that it is this:

Believers have a blessed hope: Christ will gather His own (whether deceased or living) into one eternal state of glorious unified love with Him at the appointed time. It is the Godhead’s plan!

In chapter 4, Paul now turned his focus from what was established in the church to instructions for Christian conduct while waiting for the day of glorification.

Christian Conduct While Persevering

Although Paul had already taught the Thessalonians how to live as Christians, and even more significantly, the Holy Spirit resided in them to instruct them, as a father in the faith, Paul encouraged them all the more. With these new converts living in a metropolitan area fraught with conflicting ideologies and lifestyles, Paul was very aware that the tempter could entice the believers to compromise their stand.

In verse 4, Paul links sanctification with actual behaviour. He makes it clear that sanctification is not just spiritual; your behaviour matters. It is written:

• For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

In this segment, Paul told the Thessalonians what to do and what not to do. He strongly warned them about compromise, saying:

• For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

As you read the following lists, consider society’s pressures to conform to its opinions and ways of living. Consider what was acceptable in that society at the time of this letter and compare it to your own. Then, determine whether your attitudes and behaviour reject God’s way of living or conform to it.

Paul’s encouragement is not just a list of prohibitions and commands. Paul was giving them a daily routine of preparation for Christ’s appearing.

This segment is about comfort in the blessed hope of reunion with the Creator of our souls, with the One who loved us enough to incarnate, leave His place of prominence and superiority to walk among people who betrayed Him, all the while knowing that He would pay the price of our sin so that we could be reconciled with Him, the Holy Spirit, and the Heavenly Father. The hope is that all who will accept His offer of redemption will be united with the Source of truth, love, grace and goodness forever away from all that defiles.

Yes, Paul loved these people enough to warn them about societal defilement and the way to persevere: (1) by loving each other in word and deed, (2) working hard (not lazily sitting around while waiting), and (3) growing in holiness with self-control.

A parent not only warns their child about refraining from playing with fire, but also shows them where water is found and how to drink it.

The Promised First Resurrection at Christ’s Appearing

While Paul believed Christ’s return was imminent, he also knew that He taught that neither humans nor the angelic were given the date (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). At the time of writing the letter, Paul had been waiting for approximately 17 years (from his conversion). Paul’s life was an example of waiting with expectancy while being faithful to the call God had given him. So after encouraging the Thessalonians to continue attending to the affairs of life while waiting for the Saviour to return, Paul clarified what the Lord had taught him about the resurrection.

Persecution had already started since Roman Emperor Claudius (41 A.D. to 54 A.D) expelled all Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2) over conflicts surrounding”Chrestus”. Many scholars believe the reference to “Chrestus” (in “Lives of the Caesars (The Life of Claudius, 18–25 Suetonius translated by J. C. Rolfe”) is actually Jesus Christ. Earlier, around 42 A.D., Herod Agrippa I (under Claudius) had already begun to harass some from the church (Acts 12:1-4), including killing James (the brother of John) and imprisoning Peter. Many of those who were alive at that time had already experienced a great famine (Acts 11:28). During these times, when persecution from unbelieving Jews and a changing political climate was beginning to intensify, some of the Thessalonians’ converts would have seen loved ones die.

Both Jesus and Paul had taught that difficult times would come, but since Christ had not come yet, this was not the great tribulation. Jesus said:

• “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)

Since the worldwide flood was a great tribulation, these troubling times were not the anticipated day of wrath spoken of by the ancient prophets. For this reason, Paul wanted the Thessalonians to rest assured about the resurrection of believers who had already passed away. There was no reason to grieve for their believing deceased in the same way one grieves for those who pass away without the hope of the resurrection.

Regardless of being physically dead or alive, those who rest their faith on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, who died for their sins, and fully believe in their hearts that He is the resurrected Son of God who lives forever, at Christ’s coming, they will be united together with Christ and each other. Praise God, this is a living hope!

As it is written:

• For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 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 we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 NKJV)

Paul said this is what the Lord taught. So, let me ask you, do you believe this?

• What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. … O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-53, 55-57 NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5 – The Day of the Lord’s Judgment on the Unbelieving and Instructions to Uphold Those Escaping the Wrath to Come

If anyone has read the Old Testament and considered the phrase “the Day of the Lord”, one would realize that judgment with a fierce vengeance is associated with it for those around to experience it. The phrase was first mentioned in Scripture by the Prophet Joel and then by Amos. It is written:

The Prophet Joel Around 835 B.C.

The Prophet Amos Around 766 B.C.

Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty. (Joel 1:15) Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand: … The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. (Joel 2:1, 31) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 )

Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! For what good is the day of the LORD to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, Leaned his hand on the wall, And a serpent bit him! (Amos 5:18-19)

God has disciplined and judged both His people and those who reject Him throughout history. There is no doubt about that in my mind. From the great flood in Noah’s day, followed by the scattering and confusion of people at the time of the Tower of Babel, to the various exiles of the children of Israel for persistent disobedience, and even all over the world in more recent eras. God will not be mocked, but wants all to repent and do what is right.

But this day of wrath is different. It is a period known as “the Day of the Lord”. Jesus called it the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), and Jeremiah called it the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), and Daniel referred to it as the 70th week (Daniel 9:2, 24).

This chapter presents significant contrasts, particularly between the letter’s recipients and those outside the church. To the regenerated believer, this passage will:

1. motivate you to share the gospel and pray for those who have not surrendered to the goodness of the Lord
2. comfort you with the hope of eternal life with the One who paid the penalty of your sin.

For those who refuse to place their faith in Christ with a repentant heart, the passage will either be entirely rejected as foolish talk or cause a forboding fear.

Dear reader, what about you? Where does this passage find you?

If there is a tug at your heart, why not make it right with God and accept adoption into His family through placing faith in Christ’s perfectly sufficient atonement of your sin and God’s wrath.

The hope for the believer here is to be united with all believers of all time to Jesus Christ and to be with Him free of the presence of evil. Because God intends for His family to enjoy fellowship in His creation, the presence of evil must be vanquished from His perfected creation. This means the old creation will be renovated by fire, and the cleansed and revived planet will exist in pure goodness and righteousness.

Peter writes about this in his letter.

• The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:9-16)

Jesus taught that we can see signs of the times because He warned us what to look for. But He also said that we would not know the day or hour. The key is to be awake and alert, looking for Christ to come and transform our bodies (Philippians 3:20-21, Job 19:25-26; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

Next, Paul provided imperatives for believers living in the light of eternity! Here is a list of commands the Thessalonians received. What about you? Does this describe your conduct?

As time has progressed, the promise of the Lord’s second coming has become either something that divides believers or something to avoid discussing. Honestly, the way I see it, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to instruct the Thessalonians to share (1) how to live and (2) our blessed hope of the translation of our bodies when Christ comes to catch His church away from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

The redemption narrative holds so many beautiful promises from our faithful Lord, who has throughout human history proven that He keeps His covenants! I am so grateful that despite my many flaws and failures, God plans to perfect me and maintain eternal fellowship with me. He has given me the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 5:5-7)

• And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. … But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (Revelation 21:3-7, 22-23)

Whatever your interpretive approach to the end-time prophecies, I truly hope and pray that you enjoy feasting on the meat of God’s word and find clarity in reading the letter in context!

• Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

If you seek the truth (as well as belonging and unconditional love), you will find it in Christ Jesus. God creates our souls and offers each person the choice to know Him, revealing Himself through creation, the Holy Scriptures, people, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. In Christ, you will find your true place and become part of His body. If you sense a tugging in your heart, it may be the Holy Spirit inviting you to see Christ as Saviour and Lord. With your own words, simply confess you truly believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son and Lord of all created things.  Ask Him to forgive you from all sin and cleanse your heart from all guilt. Ask Him to increase your faith in the knowledge of Him and to give you freedom from sin that He offers.

All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.