CHRIST THE CENTRE OF THE BIBLE. 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
1 & 2 THESSALONIANS - Christ is Manifested.
The Apostle Paul, accompanied by Timothy and Silas had spent a short time in Thessalonica and many people became believers. Paul and the others caused such a stir that they had to move on to Berea, Athens and Corinth. It was from here that Paul wrote the first letter and sent it by Timothy.
Timothy returned with a favourable report that was a great comfort to Paul, however there were some faults to be corrected. Some of the Thessalonians held some false views concerning the Lord`s coming. They were worried about some who had died, fearing that they would not have any part in the rapture and glory of the Lord`s return. Others were so overwhelmed by the truth of Christ`s return that they had neglected their daily tasks.
Thus Paul writes this heart-to-heart letter to correct these wrong views and inspire and comfort these new converts.
`...we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.....(and) you know how we exhorted, and comforted and charged everyone of you, as a father does his own children.` (1 Thess. 2: 7 & 11)
The two letters contain twenty different references to the coming of the Lord. In the first letter there is the blessed hope of the believers, when the Lord shall draw them up to Himself. It is mentioned in the closing of every chapter.
`...to wait for His Son from heaven....` (1 Thess. 1: 10)
`...in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.` (1 Thess. 2: 19)
`...at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.` (1 Thess. 3: 13)
`...caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.` (1 Thess. 4: 17)
`...may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.` (1 Thess. 5: 23)
Then in the second letter there is the coming of the Lord at the end of the tribulation to deal with the lawless one.
`And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.` (2 Thess. 2: 8)
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