Final Remarks
We have finished our look into the book of 1 Thessalonians. One thing that has surprised me the most in this study is how much Paul sought to encourage the believers then and the believers of today. We have seen that Paul wrote this book after the events found in Acts 17 where he, Silvanus, and Timothy had been imprisoned. The Jewish believers in Thessalonica would have seen how the Jews had turned on those who professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Those who turned to Jesus Christ would have been beaten, imprisoned, tossed out from their families and their community. For many, they would have been highly discouraged, and this is what Paul is wanting to write about in 1 Thessalonians
In chapter 1, one key verse was 1:5, “5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” and served as a reminder that simply professing the word of God is not enough, our actions need to show that we follow Him. This is not to say our actions control our salvation, but that our actions will show others we follow Jesus Christ because they reflect Him. The other key verse was verse 10, “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” Verse 10 ends with an interesting note and it also serves to further provide evidence as to why we should be studying the Hebrew language. First Thessalonians was written originally in Greek, nevertheless, archaeological evidence has shown that at an early stage. The letter was translated into Hebrew. Now, what does this mean? It means we can see the intent behind the words used and gain a deeper understanding of the context. For more information, check out Biblefacts.org. In most texts, verse 10 reads as “whom He raised from the dead”. However, the verbs in Hebrew are the hiphil imperative verb form, which is for future causative actions. Verse 10 should actually read as “who will cause the dead to rise”. Additionally, “who delivers us” should be translated as “and who will cause us to be caught up.” Verse 10 is a very powerful verse for the pre-trib Rapture! Those who oppose God’s Words regarding a blessed hope in a Rapture will adamantly oppose Paul’s words. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, knows this and urges believers to listen to his words.
Chapter 2, verses 3-4 are the key verses. “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” The word “exhortation” comes from a couple of different Greek words, but it essentially means a beseeching call to give comfort, to offer consolation. Which is exactly what Paul is doing here. He is imploring the reader to remember that what Paul said did not come from error, was not unclean, or was deceitful. This was one of the biggest arguments Jewish believers and Jewish nonbelievers would face. Paul is beseeching them to remember that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were approved by God to share the gospel; and they did it gladly, not to please men but to please God. This is reflected directly in Galatians 1:10, “10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.“ Paul asks the reader, then and now, whether their actions are meant to please God or other men. In his argument in Galatians, we see that if we seek the approval of mankind, then we are not following after God.
Chapter 3 was a continuation of the ideas presented in chapter 2, and I would identify verses seven and eight as the key verses in this chapter. “7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” Paul was worried that this church had been overrun by false teachings; he recognized that they were spiritually young believers and was concerned that without Paul there to guide them, they would fall away. Yet, thanks to Timothy’s report, we know that this is not the case. In fact, Paul and Silvanus find comfort and joy in their imprisonment knowing that the church was holding to the faith. This is why it is important to day for discipleship. Its one thing to lead a person to Jesus Christ, but without guidance that person can be swept away into false teachings. This is why we as believers need to be in a community with one another and why we need to be encouraging spiritually young believers to continue to grow in their faith. This is why in verse ten, Paul is saying that they are praying earnestly to be with the believers in Thessalonica.
Chapter 4 reminds Christians to avoid behaviors that go against Christian conduct and to remember that it is God who gives us our calling. However, Paul ends this chapter with a reminder to the reader that we are “caught up” or “ascend” (Strongs H5927) but it is only through Jesus Christ. Not our own actions. Paul is encouraging the reader to remember that we can take comfort in the knowledge of Jesus Christ coming back for us. Jesus has not forsaken those who have placed their faith in Him, He is preparing a place for us, John 14:2-3. When we are discouraged by the way the world is going, we simply need to remind ourselves that we have a greater hope.
Chapter 5 opens with a reminder to the readers that they have not missed the rapture and that this idea came from those seeking to lead them astray. For the believer who is not actively studying God’s word and seeing how He must fulfill His promises, it would be easy to fall into the belief that He is never coming. However, this is simply not true. For Christ to come for His bride as a “thief in the night” it is because there are individuals who will find His appearing unexpected and unseen because they have already rejected the promise of His coming. They fail to understand that it is not apathy that is keeping Jesus from coming for His bride, but a desire to have everyone come to know Him. It is an act of love and a desire that no one would perish (John 3:16). Paul then seeks to remind the reader that they are not in darkness; but, because they belong to Jesus Christ, are in the light. As Christians, we need to be actively searching the scriptures to understand the promises that God still has to fulfill, as well as the signs preceding the Day of Wrath (look at Matthew 24:1-28). We will not be taken by surprise by the rapture because we should be actively awaiting it. It is important to note that the word “seasons” found in verse 1 stems from H2166 meaning “appointed time” Paul is using this word as a way for the reader to understand that the rapture and the appearance of the Antichrist occur at an appointed time, not a time that we can dictate to God.
However, one more thing still needs to be discussed at the end of chapter 5. Last week, I ended my post with a call to believers not to quench the Spirit. Meaning we are not to actively and intentionally follow our sinful desires to the point that we no longer feel the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin. What I didn’t mention until it was brought to my attention was that Paul leaves the reader with a plea. “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.” 1 Thessalonians 5:27. If you have read Revelation, and if you haven't, I highly encourage you to; you will recall that God gives a promise of a blessing to the reader. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3. Yet in 1 Thessalonians 5:27, we now see that Paul is placing a charge on the reader to share 1 Thessalonians. I have looked through Paul’s other books, and the only other book that Paul leaves a similar charge is in Colossians 4:16, “16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”. This is not to say that Paul’s other writings are not important. However, I believe that the topics, especially the coming Rapture, that are discussed in 1 Thessalonians are so important that Paul wanted it to be known that he is charging all believers to study and share this book. I will not talk today about the gross misconduct by Church leaders who fail to recognize escatology for what it is, but rather claim it is a secondary issue. The Rapture should not cause division among brothers and sisters in Christ; however, it should be part of the litmus test for whether a brother is mature and knowledgeable enough to be a Church leader such as Pastor/Elder/Deacon. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, is making it very clear that this topic is to be studied, talked about, and acted upon. With that in mind, I feel we have only scratched the surface of what this book holds, and I challenge you to look and see what more we can learn.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex