" 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 forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Paul wrote to the church of Thessonica to reaffirm its faithfulness to the work of Jesus Christ and to urge the people to continue living godly and holy lives as they await the return of Jesus. He recounts his last visit to the church and comments on the good report he received from Timothy about them, and so he commends them for being willing to hold true to "the word of God, which also effectively works in who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Paul compliments the Thessalonians not only for believing, but also for standing firm in their faith as they face persecution from their countrymen. Persecution is never easy to handle for anyone - and these Thessalonians were young believers.
Paul also instructs believers about how to live in a holy way as they wait for the Lord's return. He speaks of "sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality" (1 Thessalonians 4:3), which was as big a problem in their culture as it is now. He urges them to continue in their spirit of brotherly love and that they, "increase more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:10). As a part of this brotherly love, he provides them with ways to encourage one another, such as respecting leaders, helping the weak, praying continually, and "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In speaking of the Lord's return - which he mentions at the end of each chapter - he asks them to "not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober... putting on the breastplate of faith and love" (1 Thessalonians 5:6,8). We have a living hope in Christ's return which others do not. Some might despair at the thought of death, but because of Jesus' death and resurrection, "we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Paul also instructs believers about how to live in a holy way as they wait for the Lord's return. He speaks of "sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality" (1 Thessalonians 4:3), which was as big a problem in their culture as it is now. He urges them to continue in their spirit of brotherly love and that they, "increase more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:10). As a part of this brotherly love, he provides them with ways to encourage one another, such as respecting leaders, helping the weak, praying continually, and "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In speaking of the Lord's return - which he mentions at the end of each chapter - he asks them to "not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober... putting on the breastplate of faith and love" (1 Thessalonians 5:6,8). We have a living hope in Christ's return which others do not. Some might despair at the thought of death, but because of Jesus' death and resurrection, "we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
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