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Three interesting facts about 1 Thessalonians:
First, this book was perhaps the earliest book written by Paul; second, it was written to new believers; and third, the book gives more practical insight about the “coming of the Lord” than any other book of the Bible.
Paul writes to these new believers. . .
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy (2:19, ESV).
We see the pastoral nature of the Apostle Paul in this verse as he found joy in his disciples’ readiness for Jesus’s coming.
Let’s all be prepared for the return of Jesus as we literally learn about His “coming” in 1 Thessalonians with the Greek word “parousia” translated as “coming” and used four times.
I’ve discipled and taught new believers my entire ministry, and new believers usually ask questions about the second coming of Jesus. Fortunately, I could share with them the information about the return of Jesus found in the first letter to the Thessalonians.
And we should all heed Paul’s advice. . .
That he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints (3:13).
A key doctrine of Christianity is the parousia, coming, arrival, return, or advent of Jesus. We have hope that a living Jesus will return and take us to heaven, and this second coming of the Lord will be dramatic.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (4:16-17).
From the phrases “caught up together” and “meet the Lord in the air” (both a part of the second coming of Jesus), Christians use the word “rapture.”
This sudden departure of believers will catch many unaware, as Paul writes. . .
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape (5:2-3).
But the good news for new believers, and for all of us who serve the Lord, from 1 Thessalonians, we learn that God has a different plan — the soon coming of the Lord!
Because of this hope, Paul writes twice. . .
Therefore encourage one another with these words (4:18).
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (5:11).
Let me say it a third time: Let’s all be encouraged!