November 27, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

1 Thessalonians 1 - Even though Paul was in Thessalonica for only three weeks he still established a church that really grew and became effective.  Paul said in verse 8 that "every place" heard of their testimony.  Three things became clear:  they had a "work of faith" which was "turning to God from idols"; they performed "a labor of love" which showed "they serve the living and true God"; and they had "patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" as they learned "to wait for His Son from heaven" comparing verses 2,3 with verses 9,10.

1 Thessalonians 2 - Paul was glad that when they heard Paul preached they understood it was "the word of God" verse 13.  As Paul spoke of wanting to visit them he saw that "Satan hindered" him from doing so, verse 18.

1 Thessalonians 3 - Paul had spoken of the troubles they all faced, but he knew that these believers were not "shaken by these afflictions" verse 3, because they knew that believers are "appointed to this." 

1 Thessalonians 4 - Paul spoke of their sanctification, especially in relationship to sexual morality, verses 3-7.  Paul also wanted these believers to understand end time events and that the Lord would come to call His followers home to heaven at a time when God was ready, verses 13-17.  These words should be "comfort" for each other, verse 18.

1 Thessalonians 5 - Paul emphasized the need to be ready when the "day of the Lord" would come.  He also ended this letter with various exhortations such as the trilogy of verses 16-18, always rejoice, always pray, and always give thanks.

2 Thessalonians 1 - Paul encouraged these believers as they continued to endure suffering.  He prayed that they God would fulfill His good pleasure in their lives, verse 11.

2 Thessalonians 2 - Paul warned that before the Day of the Lord would come there would be apostasy in the Church, that is a "falling away" from God's truth, verse 3.  He also spoke about that which "restrains" being taken out of the way.  Many believe this is a reference to the Church being raptured out of the world and then the "lawless one will be revealed" verse 8.  You see, the Church on earth actually is used by God to restrain evil.  When the Church is gone, evil will grow!

2 Thessalonians 3 - Paul asks for prayer and encouraged believers to keep working until Jesus comes, verses 6-12.  He also encouraged them not to "grow weary in doing good" verse 14.