In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
FIRST THESSALONIANS
The book of First Thessalonians is the eighth of Paul’s thirteen
letters referred to as the Pauline epistles. Paul wrote this epistle to
the Thessalonians in AD 51 while in Corinth after receiving good
reports from his friend Timothy regarding the strong faith exemplified
by them. Paul had previously founded the church of Thessalonica during
his second missionary journey. Thessalonica, which is present day
Salonika (or Thessaloniki), Greece, was the capital city in the Roman
province of Macedonia.
Paul wrote his letter to the Thessalonians to emphasize the
return of
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and to strengthen their commitment to Christ.
He wanted them to keep walking in righteousness, always watching for
Christ’s return with soberness by wearing the breastplate of faith and
love, and the helmet of salvation. Paul reassured the Thessalonians that
when Christ returns to earth, the dead in Christ will be resurrected
first. Then, those who are alive on earth will be caught up together
with them to meet Christ in the clouds. These events will happen
instantaneously with a great shout from Christ.
Paul continued with his exhortations by describing the Day of the
Lord and the state of readiness that believers should prepare for
themselves. Christ will return as a thief in the night. Believers who
are sober as sons of light will not be overtaken by the wrath of God
that comes upon the unbelievers. God has appointed us to obtain
salvation through the Christ. We are to abstain from every
form of evil. Paul gives us instructions for holy living. They include
praying, rejoicing, giving thanks, not grieving the Holy Spirit, not
despising prophecies and holding on to what is good.
First Thessalonians 1-3: Paul commends the Thessalonians; his
reflections on founding the church
First Thessalonians 4-5: Resurrection of believers; Day of the Lord
(Christ’s return); holy living