1 and 2 THESSALONIANS - The Free Gift – GRACE – of Eternal Life Key verse: Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory. In Acts 16v6-10 we see that the Holy Spirit would not allow Paul to go into Asia or Bithynia, the only way he could go was across to Troas. Whilst there, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come. And so, Paul, Silas and Timothy became the first missionaries to Europe. To consider: When God closes a door, is it because he has a better way for us? So Paul found himself in Thessalonica, a town of about 200,000 (about the same size as Southend); a town strategically placed on the Roman Road, the Via Egnatia (which is still intact - you can google pictures of this on the net) – the major trading route from east to west – the most ideal place for the gospel to begin to spread throughout Europe and the whole world! And within 3 weeks of Paul’s arrival a church had been established with many people believing that Jesus was the Saviour and Messiah. Paul moved on to preach throughout the area and when he was in Corinth, he asked Timothy to find news of the Thessalonian church and report back to him. His letters are a result of Timothy’s report. And it seems that the Christians needed clarification on what happens after death, and information about the Second coming of Jesus. Read 1 Thessalonians 4v13 to 5v11 Paul wanted to bring hope and assurance of a life after death for those who believe in Jesus. New life – eternal life, is a free gift of grace from God. No other religion can bring this assurance. But Paul says that Christians can rejoice that they have eternal life in God’s presence. And they can be assured that Christians who have died before them will have had the same sure hope. So, he goes on to explain how that one day Jesus will come again, when both the dead in Christ, and those Christians living on the earth, will all rise to meet him in the skies. For the Christian, the grave is not the end – merely a gateway to a glorious future. After death, our body decays here on earth (or is cremated), but our soul goes to Jesus. When we rise to meet Him in the air, our souls and a new re-created body will be reunited at this Second Coming. I suggest that perhaps the greatest grace is to be given eternity in Paradise with Jesus. To clarify: First Coming: SALVATION Second Coming: REWARD Third Coming: JUDGMENT
The Incarnation when Jesus became flesh and dwelt on earth. He came to bring salvation and righteousness; and a chance for everyone to accept Him. This is sometimes called the Rapture – meaning ‘taken up’. Jesus will come in the skies for the saved – those made Righteous through his shed blood; dead and alive. Jesus will come back to earth with the saints (the righteous) to reign on earth.
2 Thessalonians So, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encouraged them to live as if the Second Coming might take place at any time. This second letter acknowledges certain developments. 16