Introduction: Guess how old the CHRISTians were in the Church of Thessalonica when Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote his letter? You say, ten years? Twenty? Thirty? Wrong. Try THREE weeks old!! What is the “big deal”? If you read the five chapters, you will discover every one has the doctrine (teaching) of Jesus Christ’s return.
For instance,
1. From Idolatry to Expectancy! (1 Thess 1:9,10) – “….and how ye 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, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
The word “wait” is ἀναμένω (an-am-en’-o), which means to await. It has to do with one whose coming is expected. This writer remembers “waiting” for our grandparents to come for Christmas. We anticipated they would be there. We kept looking for them. When they didn’t show up in the morning, we looked forward to seeing them later that day. The feeling was fabulous! Today we are looking for Jesus in the same way!!
2. See You Now and See You Later! (1 Thess 2:19) – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
This crown of rejoicing will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Chronologically speaking, that will take place after we “meet Him in the air” with the saints that have gone on before us.
3. Love Outward, Looking Upward! (1 Thess 3:12,13) – “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
Love is the key; it is the hallmark of the believer. First, we experience love upward, and then we have the capacity to love outward. Do you love the saints?
4. Down from Heaven, Going Up to Heaven! (1 Thess 4:16-18) – “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
This famous, often quoted passage refers to the rapture of the Church. The phrase “caught up” is translated as meaning “snatched away.” Jesus Christ will come and sweep His bride away only to take her to His Father’s house (John 14:1-3). While there—in heaven—the consummation of the marriage will take place, followed by the marriage supper.
5. Suddenly and Unexpectedly, the Day of the Lord! (1 Thess 5:2) – “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Actually, the Day of the Lord will follow the rapture of the Church. A pseudo “peace plan” will be put in place, led by the Antichrist. Pretending to be Israel’s keeper/protector, his true colors will come out midway through the tribulation.
Conclusion: As we have revealed, this epistle is loaded with eschatological (end-time) teaching. Some of it is for here and now, while some of it is for the hereafter. Both need to be taught, but more specifically applied to our life until we see Jesus.
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
