1st.Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that JESUS died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in JESUS will GOD bring with HIM. For this we say unto you by the WORD of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. 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."
We have before us the first of two epistles to the Thessalonians. Both letters address the event and the context of the return of JESUS CHRIST. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, and Paul planted the church in this city during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-10). He was there less than a month, yet he labored so strenuously and faithfully that he not only founded but also firmly established this church. These Thessalonian saints seem to have dispensed with the customary crawling and creeping stages of spiritual progress, making such rapid growth that the Apostle Paul fed them with "strong meat" (cf. Hebrews 5:14) -- truths and teachings that are now (sadly) deemed "divisive" or irrelevant to the modern church. Both epistles are dogmatic, presenting true faith in contrast to doctrinal and practical error.
Persecution had broken out in Thessalonica, causing Paul to escape to Berea (Acts 17:10,13-15). When his oppressors pursued him there as well, he fled to Athens, leaving behind Timothy and Silas. Timothy then met Paul in Athens, and the Apostle sent him back to Thessalonica in order to comfort the saints there (1st.Thessalonians 3:2). Paul was in Corinth (Acts 18:1,5) when Timothy reported back that the apostle's character and motives had been attacked and the believers were disconcerted over the fact that some in the church had died, perhaps having misunderstood Paul as teaching that JESUS' return would occur prior to anyone's death. Among other things, Paul wrote to comfort the Thessalonians with the truth of the Rapture (1st.Thessalonians 4:13-5:11) and to highly commend this church for their faith, love, and hope as they waited for CHRIST's return (1st.Thessalonians 1:3, 10 both pictured above). JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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