1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

 

WHEN JESUS IS COMING BACK​

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You've only been a Christian for a few months. Maybe a year. You believed the gospel. You turned from idols to serve the living God. You received the Holy Spirit. You experienced God's power. You're excited about your new faith.

 

But you have questions. Big questions. What happens when you die? What about believers who've already died? When is Jesus coming back? How should you live whilst you're waiting? What does holiness actually look like? How do you deal with persecution?

 

And you miss Paul. He was only with you for a few weeks before persecution forced him to leave. You wish he could come back. You need more teaching. More encouragement. More answers.

 

Paul can't come back. Not yet. So he writes this letter.

 

First Thessalonians is Paul's earliest letter, written about AD 50 or 51, just months after he planted the church in Thessalonica. It's personal, warm, encouraging. Paul loves these believers. He's proud of them. And he writes to answer their questions, especially about Jesus' return.

 

This letter is about living faithfully whilst waiting for Christ to return. About holiness. About brotherly love. About hard work. About those who've died in Christ. About being ready when Jesus comes back.

 

If you've ever wondered what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns, if you've questioned how to live whilst waiting for Him, if you've needed encouragement to stand firm in persecution, read 1 Thessalonians. Paul will answer your questions and strengthen your faith.

 

A note before we begin:

First Thessalonians is five chapters of warm encouragement and practical instruction. This summary covers the major themes, but Paul's personal affection for this young church and his clear teaching on Christ's return deserve your full attention. After this overview, open your Bible and read all five chapters of 1 Thessalonians yourself. Let Paul's teaching on Jesus' return shape how you live today.

 

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians

Paul, Silas and Timothy write to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you.

 

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Paul thanks God for them constantly. Their work produced by faith. Their labour prompted by love. Their endurance inspired by hope in Jesus.

 

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived amongst you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

 

God chose them. The gospel came with power, not just words. They imitated Paul and the Lord. They welcomed the message with joy despite severe suffering. They became a model to other believers.

 

The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we don't need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

 

Their faith is famous. Everyone knows how they turned from idols to serve God. And they're waiting for Jesus to return from heaven. Jesus who rescues from coming wrath.

 

Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We'd previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make doesn't spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We're not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

 

Paul reminds them of his ministry. He'd been beaten in Philippi but still preached boldly in Thessalonica despite opposition. His motives are pure. He's not trying to please people. He's approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.

 

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed. God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could've asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children amongst you.

 

Paul didn't flatter them. Didn't mask greed. Didn't seek praise. He could've demanded support as an apostle but didn't.

 

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone whilst we preached the gospel of God to you.

 

Paul loved them like a nursing mother loves her children. He shared not just the gospel but his life. He worked night and day to support himself so he wouldn't burden them.

 

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were amongst you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.

 

Paul was holy, righteous, blameless. He treated them like a father treats his children. Encouraging, comforting, urging them to live worthy of God.

 

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

 

They received God's word not as human word but as what it actually is: God's word. And it's at work in those who believe.

 

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: you suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

 

The Thessalonians suffered persecution from their own people, just like the churches in Judea suffered from the Jews. Those who persecute are hostile to everyone and are heaping up sins. God's wrath has come upon them.

 

Paul's Longing to See Them

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time, in person, not in thought, out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you, certainly I, Paul, did, again and again, but Satan blocked our way.

 

Paul desperately wanted to return. He tried again and again. But Satan blocked him.

 

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Isn't it you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

 

The Thessalonians are Paul's hope, joy, and crown. They're his glory and joy when Jesus returns.

 

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we're destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we'd be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

 

Paul couldn't wait any longer. He sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them. He'd warned them persecution would come. And it did.

 

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might've been in vain.

 

Paul was afraid Satan had tempted them and his work would be wasted.

 

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He's told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you're standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

 

Timothy brought good news. Their faith and love are strong. They have good memories of Paul. They long to see him. Paul is encouraged. He really lives because they're standing firm. He prays night and day to see them and supply what's lacking in their faith.

 

Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you'll be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.

 

Paul prays God would clear the way for him to visit. He prays their love would increase and overflow. He prays their hearts would be strengthened to be blameless and holy when Jesus returns.

 

Living to Please God

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

 

Live to please God. Do this more and more.

 

It's God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that's holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who don't know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God didn't call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction doesn't reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit.

 

God's will is your sanctification. Avoid sexual immorality. Control your body in holiness and honour. Don't wrong others in this matter. God will punish sexual sin. He called you to holiness, not impurity. Rejecting this instruction is rejecting God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.

 

Now about your love for one another we don't need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you won't be dependent on anybody.

 

They already love each other. Paul urges them to do so more and more. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. Mind your own business. Work with your hands. So your life wins respect and you're not dependent on anyone.

 

Believers Who Have Died

Brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you don't grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

 

Some believers have died. The Thessalonians are grieving. Paul doesn't want them to grieve like those who have no hope. Jesus died and rose. God will bring with Jesus those who've died in Him.

 

According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

 

Here's the answer. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. Everyone will be with the Lord for ever. This is encouragement.

 

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we don't need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they won't escape.

 

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. Unexpectedly. When people say peace and safety, sudden destruction will come. They won't escape.

 

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We don't belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God didn't appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we're awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you're doing.

 

You're children of light. The day shouldn't surprise you. Don't be asleep. Be awake and sober. Put on faith and love as a breastplate. Put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. God didn't appoint you for wrath but for salvation. Jesus died so you can live with Him. Encourage each other. Build each other up.

 

Final Instructions

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard amongst you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

 

Respect those who work hard amongst you and lead you. Hold them in highest regard. Live in peace.

 

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

 

Warn the idle. Encourage the disheartened. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. Don't pay back wrong for wrong. Strive to do good for everyone.

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances. This is God's will for you.

 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

 

Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophecies. Test them. Hold on to good. Reject evil.

 

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

 

Paul prays God would sanctify them completely. Spirit, soul, and body kept blameless at Christ's coming. God is faithful. He'll do it.

 

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God's people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

What This Means for You

First Thessalonians is about living faithfully whilst waiting for Jesus to return. It's about holiness, love, hard work, and hope. Paul answers the Thessalonians' questions about those who've died in Christ and encourages them to stand firm in persecution.

 

Here's what 1 Thessalonians teaches you:

 

Turn from idols to serve the living God. Wait for Jesus to return from heaven. He rescues from coming wrath.

 

Work produced by faith. Labour prompted by love. Endurance inspired by hope. That's what genuine Christianity looks like.

 

Live to please God. Avoid sexual immorality. Control your body in holiness. God called you to holiness, not impurity.

 

Love one another more and more. Lead a quiet life. Mind your own business. Work with your hands. Win respect. Don't be dependent on anyone.

 

Believers who've died haven't perished. When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord. Everyone will be with the Lord for ever.

 

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. Unexpectedly. But you're children of light. Be awake. Be sober. Put on faith, love, and hope.

 

God didn't appoint you for wrath but for salvation. Jesus died so you can live with Him.

 

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances. This is God's will.

 

God is faithful. He who calls you will sanctify you completely. He'll do it.

 

Your Next Steps

First Thessalonians challenges you to live holy lives whilst waiting for Jesus to return.

 

Are you living to please God? Are you pursuing holiness, especially in sexual purity?

 

Are you loving other believers more and more? Or are you withdrawn, isolated, uninvolved?

 

Are you working hard? Or are you idle? Mind your own business. Work with your hands. Don't be dependent on others.

 

Are you ready for Jesus to return? He's coming like a thief. Are you awake? Sober? Putting on faith, love, and hope?

 

Are you grieving believers who've died? They haven't perished. They'll rise first when Jesus returns. You'll all be with the Lord for ever.

 

Are you rejoicing always? Praying continually? Giving thanks in all circumstances? This is God's will for you.

 

Read It Yourself

This summary covers 1 Thessalonians' major themes, but Paul's warmth towards this young church and his clear teaching on Jesus' return deserve your full attention. First Thessalonians is only five chapters. You can read it in fifteen minutes.

 

Don't just read about 1 Thessalonians. Read 1 Thessalonians. Open your Bible and read all five chapters. Let Paul's teaching on Christ's return shape how you live today. Let his encouragement strengthen you to stand firm.

 

Jesus Is Coming Back

That's the message of 1 Thessalonians. Jesus is coming back. Unexpectedly. Like a thief in the night.

 

Believers who've died will rise first. Then those alive will be caught up with them. Everyone will be with the Lord for ever.

 

So live holy lives. Love one another. Work hard. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks. Be ready.

 

He's coming back.

 

 

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

© The Unknown Believer