1st and 2nd Thessalonians

The forward looking believers in Thessalonica were excited as they waited for the second coming of the Lord. The subject of the Lord’s return is emphasized 318 times in 260 chapters of the New Testament. The birth of Jesus was the first appearance of the promised Messiah, and we know that “He is surely coming again!”

The first letter Paul writes to the Thessalonians is about Christ returning for His Church, the Body of Christ. Those who are left behind will suffer through a period of seven years of chaos on earth, and then Jesus will appear to the entire world, in all His glory. With His army of faithful followers by His side, Jesus will establish His throne upon planet earth!

The second letter speaks in detail about His mighty angels. In the midst of Christ coming for His Church, the scattered Jewish people will reoccupy their own land. The unbelieving nations will war against Israel, and the Antichrist becomes the world ruler. At the time 2^nd Thessalonians was written, many believers were alarmed by false teachings that the day of the Lord was already upon them. Paul writes this letter to calm their fears.

Throughout the history of the world, people get caught up in when Jesus will return. The books of Thessalonians help us to keep our feet on the ground as we continue to work as we wait upon the Lord. Paul could have spoken brilliantly about what all the prophets predicted but he did not. Paul knew that Christ was crucified, that the power was in the precious blood of Jesus that was shed to cover our sins. Have you ever wondered why with so many Bible scholars and preachers today, that the church is not expanding? Why don’t we see miraculous healings after we hear a sensational sermon preached? With all the fancy programs that interpret Greek and Hebrew, why aren’t 5,000 people getting saved daily while listening to the best preachers in the world? Preacher Paul wrote: “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul met the Word of God on the road to Damascus, on his way to kill Christians. In a flash all that Paul thought he knew about God by his careful study of the scriptures was reduced to trash. Paul was struck blind and speechless as he stood in the holy Presence of Jesus. The Man that he knew had been brutally crucified asked: “why are you persecuting Me?” At that moment Paul compared all he knew to the living Jesus and called it trash. Paul the intellectual did not want or need to know anything else.

As the one who penned this summary of the Bible, I consider myself a simple minded secretary. Without a college education, I can only share what I know to be true. The Devil and his demons shudder and run when we speak God’s pure word. Why? Because Satan knows that the blood of Jesus covers all of God’s people, and it is the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Word of God that continues to heal and save souls.

Jesus Christ died, was crucified, shed His holy blood so that we can be free from the curse and live eternally with Him. A sermon that is spoken with fear and trembling about the blood of Jesus pulls down the glory of God as it pierces hearts to repentance. When the atmosphere is full of the Holy Presence of His Spirit, Jesus enters hearts, and He heals folks; as He changes them eternally for His purpose. AMEN

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1 Thess 5:6)

(click on BLOGGER TAB “Books of Bible” for the rest of the story)

“It is finished.” 4/22/19