Last Days

SANCTIFIED WHOLLY

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

Considering the future arrival of Jesus, Paul summoned believers to become sanctified completely by that day – 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

Paul concluded his first letter to the Thessalonians with a series of exhortations summoning believers to righteous living in the interim between their conversion and the “arrival” of Jesus “from heaven,” and ended with a call for their complete sanctification by that day. His final exhortation included verbal links to the preceding sections of the letter.

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SONS OF LIGHT

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

The Day of the Lord will mean salvation to the “sons of light” who remain ever vigilant and prepared for it – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Rather than provide a list of “signs” whereby believers can ascertain the imminence of the “Day of the Lord,” the Apostle Paul gave instructions on how they must live in anticipation of that day’s sudden and unexpected arrival. It would not overtake the Thessalonians because they “were not in darkness,” but instead, they were “sons of light” and “sons of the day.”

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THE DEAD IN CHRIST

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Paul reassured believers concerning those who had died in Christ and their full participation in the future resurrection – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Paul addressed the concerns about the fate of fellow believers who die before Jesus will arrive “from heaven.” Apparently, some believers at Thessalonica were concerned that dead saints might not participate in the glories of that day. But he reassured them; not only will dead believers be resurrected on that day they will also precede those still alive, and all together will meet Jesus.

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RESCUING US FROM WRATH

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Already, Jesus is “rescuing” his people from the coming “wrath” that will befall the unrighteous when he arrives – 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

From its inception, the congregation at Thessalonica had experienced hostility. Out of concern for their welfare, Paul sent Timothy to determine how the church was faring under persecution. His letter to the Thessalonians begins with his thankfulness for their perseverance, and then he reassures them that Jesus will rescue his people from a far worse fate than any present “tribulation.”

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TO THE ASSEMBLY

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The Thessalonians received the gospel in tribulation but remained faithful in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.

Opposition to the new faith forced Paul to leave Thessalonica before his work was completed. When he attempted to return to the city, he was thwarted “by Satan.” Because of anxieties about the congregation, he sent Timothy to investigate. His first letter is his thankful response after receiving good news about the congregation’s faithfulness.

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