{{ Introduction to 1 & 2 Thessalonians 52-53 AD

     The letter was sent to a congregation in Thessalonica apparently who had problems with the teachings previously given to them. We typically call those teachings the ‘Second Coming’. They believed (wrongly) that Jesus was coming back shortly. One thing that false religious groups and ‘self-proclaimed’ (false) prophets have taught us in the past 125 years or so is that no one knows when Jesus is coming back. Jesus did not even know (Mat 24:36, Mk 13:32). A very vivid picture is given of how the judgment, revelation of the Lord, Jesus’ coming and the end occur. Jesus and the messengers of God would come with a sound of a trumpet (common in O.T. and Greek history as a call to battle) in flaming fire. Christians will meet Jesus in the air, as stated in 1Thessalonians 4:16-17. And ‘the ones not obeying^* the good-news of our Lord Jesus, ^1:9 who will suffer-punishment, the sentence of everlasting utter-destruction away from the face of the Lord’ as stated in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. The warning that the ‘man of sin’ would come first, 2Thessalonians 2, Caesar Nero (called 666 by John in Revelation 13:18). This was at a time that Christians would start suffering persecution from the hands of the Roman government. A quick ‘to the point’ conclusion in 2Thessalonians 3 and a commandment to stay away from those who do not teach ‘the tradition received from us.’ A commandment we hope all Christians will obey by not following the ‘traditions of men’ and so save themselves from the ‘fire.’}}

      ^1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the congregation^* of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you^° and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

      ^1:2 We are always giving-thanks to God concerning all of you^°, making^* a remembrance of you^° in our prayers, ^1:3 constantly remembering your^° work of the faith, and the labor of love^*, and of the endurance of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, ^1:4 beloved brethren knowing your^° choice by God. ^1:5 We know because our good-news did not happen to you^° in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much full assurance; just-as you^° know what manner of men we became among you^°, because of you^°. ^1:6 And you^° became imitators of us and of the Lord, after you^° accepted the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit, ^1:7 so-then you^° were to become examples to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. ^1:8 For^* the word of the Lord has been echoed-forth from you^°, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place your^° faith toward God has gone forth, so-as for us to have no need to say anything. ^1:9 For^* they themselves are reporting concerning us, what sort of entrance we had toward you^°, and how you^° turned to God from idols, to serve^* a living and true^* God, ^1:10 and to await his Son Jesus from the heavens, whom he raised up from the dead, and who rescues us from the coming wrath.