The Epistles of 1 & 2 Thessalonians

The two epistles talk alot about the seconding coming of Jesus Christ and are often designated as eschatological letters.  Eschatology has to do with doctrine concerning final things like judgment and future state.  1 Thessalonians is especially comforting for those who have experienced bereavement, as it mentions the glorious hope of Christ's second coming. It is also a book where ministers of God turn to bring encouragement to the bereaved families.    

Let's trace the thoughts of the apostle Paul as he penned the two epistles.  Paul began by giving thanks for the Thessalonians because their faith has gone forth to every place.  We are now waiting for God's Son to return from heaven  - indeed He's the One who saves us from the wrath to come (1 Th 1:10).  "Souls" is the currency of heaven and Paul was delighted to boast that the Thessalonian Christians will be his pride and joy at the coming of the Lord (1 Th 2:19).  Will you have any crown of exultation to show forth when Christ returns?

Next Paul encouraged the believers to keep abounding in love for one another in order that our hearts may be established unblameable in holiness before God at the coming of Christ with all His saints (1 Th 3:13). One of the specific wills of God for us is revealed here - our sanctification, that is, to be set apart in holiness for Him (1 Th 4:3).  Paul continued with the theme of Christ's second coming by telling the believers that He would come with His saints i.e. those who have died in the Christ (1 Th 4:13-17).  Those who are still alive when He comes would not die but be raptured or translated up to heaven like Elijah of old. This is known as the Omega-transition generation according to Bishop Bill Hamon. 

Paul concluded 1 Thessalonians by saying the the Lord's coming would come like a thief in the night i.e. unexpectedly to the world.  But to the believers, we should not be caught by surprise because we're children of light (1 Th 5:2-6).  As children of God, we should be able to discern the signs of the end of times.  All the signs point to the fact that we're living in the last hour of God's time piece. We're therefore urged to live and behave in a manner that befits a King's kid (1 Th 5:6-22). 

The eschatological theme continues in 2 Thessalonians. Christ would come not only with His saints (to be glorified) but also His mighty angels to execute judgment on the unbelieving, who would be cast away from the presence of God (2 Th 1:7-10).  At the same time, the man of lawless (agent of Satan) together with all who believed in a lie would be destroyed by the Lord when He returns (2 Th 2:8-12).  Paul's final encouragement to believers is to continue standing firm, praying for the servants of God and doing good (2 Th 2:17; 3:1,13).

Let's pray that God may count us worthy of our calling and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power (2 Th 1:11).