1 Thessalonians
Living in Light of Christ’s Second Coming: Part One
Central Teaching
Because of the hope we have in Christ—hope that will be fulfilled at his return—we should seek to please the Lord by loving one another and persevering in faith.
Memory Verses
Setting
Both 1 and 2 Thessalonians come from “Paul, Silas and Timothy” (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1), but the content of the letters and the use of “I” throughout indicate that Paul is probably the lead author. Shortly after founding the church in Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1–10), Paul and Silas left because of violent opposition from the Jews. The young, fragile church faced strong external pressure, and Paul feared for their spiritual safety. On numerous occasions he tried (unsuccessfully) to return to Thessalonica, but he resorted to sending Timothy instead. In time, Timothy returned to Paul with good news—the believers in Thessalonica were staying strong, but they needed encouragement and additional instruction. Paul writes both letters from Corinth in the early AD 50s with the purpose of encouraging and instructing these new believers.
The last trumpet would have reminded the first readers of a shofar, a musical instrument made from an animal horn.
Message
Both 1 and 2 Thessalonians are devoted to encouragement and instruction concerning how to live in light of the return (or parousia) of the Lord Jesus. In Paul we see the heart of a pastor for a local congregation that is facing external persecution and wrestling with internal issues. After defending the truth of the gospel and the integrity of his apostleship, Paul expresses genuine concern for the Thessalonians and urges them to please the Lord as they live in light of his second coming. In chapters 4–5, Paul reminds them that although believers grieve at the death of fellow believers, they grieve in hope because of Christ’s resurrection. He then instructs them concerning what is to come. First, Christ will return, and then he will resurrect his people who have died and transform those still alive at his coming. Christ’s return will be public, visible, and unmistakable. It will be followed by the rapture (or gathering) of Christ’s people to himself and an eternal reunion with the Lord. Believers should be alert and self-controlled so as not to be surprised by Jesus’s coming. God has not appointed his children to suffer wrath but to experience salvation and eternal life.
Interesting Features
- This may have been Paul’s earliest letter (AD 51), depending on when Galatians is dated.
- Paul mentions the theme of the second coming of Christ at the end of each chapter (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:23).
- Both 1 and 2 Thessalonians are addressed to new believers who are facing trials, and both letters urge them to endure in hope.
Paul asks, “What is . . . the crown in which we will glory?” (1 Thess. 2:19). In Rome, to receive an oak leaf wreath or crown was a high honor given to those who had saved the life of a Roman solider in battle by an unusual act of courage. This gold oak wreath was found in Turkey (350–300 BC).
Connections
While some Christians are consumed with matters related to the end times, others seem to have forgotten that Jesus is coming back. We grieve the brokenness of this world, but one day Christ will return to conquer death once and for all; he will make all things new. Our priorities should not involve trying to predict the exact time of Christ’s return but striving to live faithfully, doing what God has told us to do.