Jesus Christ will return
This study is the fourteenth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament
(1 Thessalonians – read in 8 minutes)
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NKJV)
It’s almost a welcome change – the letter to the Thessalonian church is free from the sometimes heavy correction that is part of Paul’s letters so far. It’s not necessarily a fair comparison as this letter was probably the first one Paul wrote. The church was new and 2 Thessalonians indicates that over time they shared the problems experienced by other churches. Paul’s letter is full of praise and basically is saying ‘keep on doing what you’re doing – just do more of it’ (1 Thessalonians 4:10). And why? The fact is that the most prominent theme in 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Jesus, mentioned at the end of every chapter. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 talks about the ‘…wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus…’. Paul mentions the joy he anticipates when the Thessalonians are ‘…in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming…’ (1 Thess 2:19). He links the love they have for one another with establishing their ‘hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…’ (1 Thess 3:13). Everything that a Christian life embraces is wrapped up in the expectation of this event.
In Chapter 4 of the epistle, Paul lays out, in part, what happens at the resurrection to all those in Christ, including those who have died, and it is more detailed than anywhere else. He embeds his explanation in the dominant culture of the time: his outline of events mirrors what would happen around an emperor arriving at a city. People would go out to meet him and welcome him (as a god) and bring him back, in a procession, to the city (vv.16-17). Paul appropriates this model to explain how things will be. The Greek word ‘parousia’ translated as ‘coming’ throughout the letter, was also used for the physical arrival of an emperor to a city.
We so often return to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 when faced with bereavement. Why is it here? It seems to be interjected for no reason. The reason lies in the dual issues of physical death, and the return of Christ. It is clear that Paul and the other apostles, along with the many people whom they led to Christ, were looking for his return in the immediate future – in their lifetime. It was not expected that those converted would die before they saw Christ. It was to be anytime now. It is apparent that there had been at least one death among the congregation and Acts 17 suggests this would have been through martyrdom. It had raised questions about the message of Christ’s return – and if it did then, how much more so now after more than 2000 years of waiting. Paul addressed this challenge head on, with the blunt statement, ‘…I don’t want you to be ignorant…’ (1 Thess 4:13). The promises still were real. Christ would return and those who had died were part of the plan.
It is not easy being vigilant if ongoing persecution, compounded by a long period of time, is involved. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is encouragement to counter the discouragement the church was experiencing as it suffered the first deaths among its members and the doubt that this generated. It was to provide comfort – and it continues to do just that.
Prayer
Thank you, loving Father, for the comfort we can gain from being reminded that you will fulfil all the promises concerning your Son and that his return is sure. In his name, Amen.
Study by Maggie Mitchell
Maggie Mitchell attends the Northampton congregation of Grace Communion International and is Chair of the Pastoral Council
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email: maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church