The End of a Letter

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

1 Thessalonians 5:27 (NKJV) ²⁷I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

Paul desired that his letter to the Thessalonians be read to all believers.

Paul was clear about his ministry. He had a commission from God to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, also called the nations. Therefore, Paul considered his mission to be of the utmost importance. He called himself an apostle to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 (NKJV) ¹³For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles.

He explained that he received his apostleship from God and that God singled him out to be a minister to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 15:3–11 (NKJV) ³For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. ⁹For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

From this passage, we see:

1. The message he delivered was something that he received. 
2. Of all the Apostles, Paul was the last to see Jesus. (He says that after the resurrection, Jesus was seen by Cephas and then the twelve. Then Jesus was seen by over 500 believers at one time. After that, Jesus was seen by James and the Apostles. Finally, he was seen by Paul. Paul describes this as being one born out of due time.) 
3. Paul says he was not worthy of being called an Apostle since he persecuted the Church. However, this gives him the chance to tell of the grace of God. 

He gives the grace of God credit for both his calling and the fruit of his work. He received the message he preached through revelation from Jesus. Jesus first appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, and the revelation he received came after that. So, chronologically Paul was the last of the Apostles. He received his apostleship after Jesus ascended to heaven, which is why Paul refers to himself as one born out of due time.

Paul’s Apostleship was not from men nor was it given by men.

Galatians 1:1 (NKJV) ¹Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

Paul wrote letters to churches because of his calling from God as an Apostle to the Gentiles. The responsibility and authority for establishing the Church throughout the non-Jewish world were his.

Romans 15:15–16 (ESV) ¹⁵But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God ¹⁶to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.

Paul’s boldness in writing grew out of the responsibility he carried for the Gentile Church. Others saw his success, the love the churches had for him, and his authority. Seeing these things, they desired them for themselves. In Philippians 1:15, Paul says that some preached Christ out of envy and strife. In 2 Corinthians, Paul confronts false Apostles. They were trying to turn the Corinthians’ hearts away from Paul so the Corinthians would follow them. Many of the New Testament Epistles were written to confront and correct errors introduced by false teachers and apostles. One of the distinguishing marks of the New Testament is that all the writings were written under the authority of one of the twelve Apostles. (This is counting Paul as the twelfth in place of Judas.)

We must recognize this apostolic authority in the Church because false teachers grow more numerous every day. We must continue to read the writings of the Apostles so that we are not led astray by false apostles.

The Apostle Peter said the following about Paul’s writings.

2 Peter 3:15–16 (NKJV) ¹⁵and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ¹⁶as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Peter puts Paul’s epistles with “the rest of the Scriptures.” He called Paul’s writings, “Scripture.” When Paul gives the charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:27 that his letter be read to all the believers, he says this command is “by the Lord.” In other words, God desires that this letter be read by all believers.

1 Thessalonians covers foundational truths that all Christians need to understand. The authority of Paul as an Apostle of God to the Gentiles has not diminished. Even today, untaught and unstable people twist these truths to their own destruction. Anyone claiming to be an apostle of Jesus Christ who contradicts or twists the Apostles’ teachings is one of these untaught and unstable people Peter speaks of.

At verse twelve of chapter five, Paul begins the close of the epistle. Realizing that he needs to wrap things up, the Apostle gives a shopping list of things to do, a to-do list. This list is not doctrinal instruction. These are exhortations from one who loves them and is concerned for their welfare. These remind me of a mother sending her children off to school. “Do you have your homework? Don’t forget your lunch. Behave yourself, and say hello to Mrs. So-and-so. Hurry, or you’ll miss the bus!”

As last-minute exhortations, each one of these reminders is a topic that deserves our careful study and attention. How should we treat pastors, elders, and teachers? How do we maintain peace among ourselves? This list appears to be all the things Paul would like to address but does not have time and parchment to cover. Each one is hard-hitting and necessary. “Pray without ceasing. Do not quench the Spirit.” These are things that are essential for us as Christians. The Apostle wants us to understand and apply these things. Still, he leaves the Scriptural exploration of these subjects up to us.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 (NKJV) ¹²And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. ¹⁵See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise prophecies. ²¹Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

With a quick look at this list, it can be divided into two categories. Verse twelve through fifteen deal with relationships within the Church, and verses sixteen through twenty-two deal with our relationship with God.

In our relationships within the Church, the admonitions center on respect, love, and patience. The first admonition is to recognize or esteem the leaders of the Church. This idea continues for two verses as Paul includes the concept of loving the leaders for their work’s sake. Hebrews 13:7 also speaks of this idea when it says:

Hebrews 13:7 (NKJV) ⁷Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Both 1 Thessalonians and Hebrews addresses our attitude toward those who speak the word or admonish. This is consistent with the instructions Paul gave his young apprentice, Timothy, when he said:

1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

I hesitated to say anything about this subject because I have no complaints about how I have been received and treated by this body. But since this is included in Paul’s admonitions to the Thessalonians, I could not avoid it. I do not feel overburdened or unappreciated, but I do covet your prayers. As Paul closes his epistle with “Brothers, pray for us,” I also covet your prayers. Although I have never felt particularly worthy of being a pastor, I am confident of God’s calling.

Paul’s admonitions to the Thessalonians concerning relationships within the Church are consistent themes throughout the New Testament. They are consistent with the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Consider the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

This verse reminds me of Philippians 2 and Galatians 6. Look them up! I have summed up these verses as treating each other with love, respect, and patience.

In verse sixteen of 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul begins talking about our relationship with God. I would sum these admonitions up as: be joyful, be thankful, and yield to the Holy Spirit.

Verse sixteen says, “Rejoice always.” This is connected in the same sentence with “Pray without ceasing.” These two are closely related. Joy is not what this world calls happiness. I have found that I can be full of the joy of the Lord in the midst of pain or sorrow. The joy of the Lord is founded on our faith in His goodness and providence. This faith gives birth to praying without ceasing. The same faith that strengthens us in joy causes us to let all of our requests be made known to God, our Father. This relationship with God naturally produces gratitude and thanksgiving.

These things that Paul is listing are an essential part of who we are as children of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And they are produced by the Holy Spirit working in our lives. In Galatians, Paul calls them the fruit of the Spirit. Sadly, even though these things are an essential part of who we are as children of God through the Lord Jesus, many do not exhibit the fruit of love, respect, and patience in our lives, and none of us consistently exhibit them 100 percent of the time.

The problem is what Paul list in verse nineteen. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit.

This admonition is here because we do this so easily. Verse nineteen through twenty-two are all tied to the idea of yielding to the Spirit’s work in our lives. Yielding to and living by the Spirit are an essential theme running through the entire Bible that is especially emphasized in the New Testament. I am going to quote just one passage regarding this subject.

Romans 8:12–15 (NKJV) ¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

After giving this list of admonitions, Paul gives a benediction, a blessing. The list of commands he just gave seems impossible to keep. As Paul brings his letter to a close with his final list of last-minute instructions, who of us feels adequate for these things? Which one of us feels like he or she can live up to the example of Paul, let alone Jesus? But in the benediction, Paul says God will do it. God will preserve us blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. The confidence that God can and will perform all that is necessary for our lives gives us great confidence. Our confidence as Christians is not in our own ability to keep a list, but our confidence is in God, who will continue to work in our lives until Jesus comes.

Times and Seasons

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NKJV) ¹But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

Time emphasizes the measurement and the passing of moments. Seasons represents the character of the current world around us. For example, the time is 7:00 a.m., and it will soon be 8:00 a.m. The season is Summer, so it is hot and muggy. Movement from seven to eight is the measurement of time, while the heat and humidity characterize the season. As the season changes to Fall, the temperature will change.

1 Thessalonians 5:1 speaks of times and seasons in reference to God’s plan for the world. God made known His plans through the Prophets and Apostles. The Old and New Testaments tell us much about what is to come. The Old Testament Scriptures foretold the coming of Christ into this world. Specific details were revealed. The time and place of His birth were clearly communicated. Simeon and Anna both understood the Day of His appearing and were in the temple to greet Him when He came to be circumcised. (See Luke 2:21-38 to read the full account.) All the seasons of God’s plan were revealed in the Old Testament through the Prophets. The New Testament expanded what was revealed in the Old Testament. For example, the book of Revelation adds details to the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others.

One reason that 1 Thessalonians 5:1 says there was no need to write concerning the times and the seasons is the completeness of the Revelation of God’s plan for the ages revealed in the Old Testament. An additional reason that there was no need to write to the Thessalonians concerning the times and the seasons was the Thessalonians’ study of the Scriptures. Consider the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV) ²For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

In this context, “perfectly” means “extremely accurate, very exact; “more (very) accurate” because researched down to the finest detail (“factually precise”).The Thessalonians’ perfect, or accurate, knowledge of these truths came from their careful study of the Scriptures. We have precedent for the study of Scriptures by the early Church in the example of the Bereans. They searched the Scriptures daily to verify the things that the Apostles taught them. (See Acts 17:11 for more details.) 

Accurate knowledge about the times and the seasons of God’s plan for the ages profoundly affects our hope as Christians. God devotes much of the limited space in the Bible to this subject. Therefore, we understand that He considers it essential. In the limited space of 1 Thessalonians, the themes of the End Times and the return of Christ come up in every chapter. The Thessalonians studied the Scriptures for themselves. We must follow their example. Do not blindly accept what a teacher says, even if that teacher is the best. Search the Scriptures for yourself. Do not be discouraged by the many differing views. The believers in Thessalonica were able to have accurate knowledge, and so can we. I would caution you to spend more time in Scripture than watching YouTube videos and listening to internet teachers.

Thessalonians 5:2 says they had perfect knowledge that the “day of the Lord” would come like a “thief in the night.” As a prelude to studying the idea of a “thief in the night,” we need to consider verse four, which says that we are not in darkness so that this “Day” should take us by surprise.

The “Day” spoken of is described in verse three.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NKJV) ³For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 

The “Day” spoken of is a day of “sudden destruction” from which people will try to escape, but will not avoid. Please note that people will be saying, “Peace and safety!” Since verse four mentions that we will not be surprised, we understand that those saying peace and safety are unbelievers. When the world thinks it finally has peace will be the time that their destruction comes. In our war-torn world, a day is coming soon when a man will rise up who holds out the promise of peace, and he will have the power to bring about a brief time of peace. When the world starts saying “peace and safety,” we will know that the “day of the Lord” is upon us. This “peace and safety” in the world is a marker of the time. We know we are already in the “season” because the “climate” in the world today is signaling that the Day of the Lord is very, very near. However, the world does not accept this. Sadly, many Christians do not believe this. For those who do not believe, the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. This “Day” will seem to happen suddenly without warning. Jesus taught this truth when He said:

Matthew 24:37–39 (NLT) ³⁷When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s Day. ³⁸In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. ³⁹People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Although the Scriptures clearly tell us what will happen, those who do not believe the Scriptures will be completely surprised by the events that unfold. However, no one needs to be surprised. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6.

1 Thessalonians 5:4–6 (NKJV) ⁴But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. ⁵You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

Believers can live as unbelievers. Christians can sleep as others do. For this reason, 1 Thessalonians warns us not to sleep. This passage reminds us that we are children of light and children of the Day. We are not in darkness. Therefore, we are not blind, nor are we to be taken by surprise.

Jesus told us that we would suffer persecution in this world. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will experience hardship. The Thessalonians were experiencing difficulties and therefore questioned if it was not the Day of the Lord. Every generation of believers has faced the same question. For example, Martin Luther observed the hardships and politics of his Day and believed the Day of the Lord was to be during his lifetime. Although he made mistakes in his eschatology, he followed the command to be sober and watch. His spiritual life was advanced, and his ministry more effective because he took seriously the truth that Jesus is coming again.

Since Martin Luther’s Day, time has answered questions that Martin Luther did not even think to ask. For example, it never occurred to him that Israel would one day be a nation again. Therefore, he taught and believed that the Church is the New Israel. However, as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and others said would happen, Israel has been gathered from all the places she was scattered to and is once again a nation. The Scriptures are clear, but we all tend to see through our physical eyes rather than with the eyes of Scripture.

If we are awake and sober, we like Simeon and Anna will know the times and seasons that the Scriptures give. Disease, wars, and plagues should not shake our faith or cause us to think that the Day of the Lord has come already, and we somehow missed it. As 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, we who are of the day must put on the breastplate of faith and the helmet of the hope of salvation.

There are problems in the Church today that 1 Thessalonians 5:7 warns us about.

1 Thessalonians 5:7 (NKJV) ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

The problems are sleeping and getting drunk. Those who sleep ignore the warning signs and say, “Every generation has thought that Jesus would return in their day, and this generation is no different. Jesus will not return yet.” Having said this to themselves, they do not take time to understand the times and the seasons. Therefore they are easily deceived and led astray. Those who get drunk are those who live as friends of the world, satisfying the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. (See 1 John 2:15-17 for more details.) They have no concern for the Day of the Lord because they are too busy with the things of this world. They are intoxicated with success and happiness. These will be caught by surprise.

It has already been mentioned that wars, political upheaval, disasters, and the like cause many to wonder if we are not in the “Day of the Lord.” But we are given assurance in 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Verse 8 mentions the breastplate of faith, which protects our hearts and the hope of salvation, which protects our minds, then verses 9 and 10 give us a summary of our hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 (NKJV) ⁹For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

As Christians, we suffer persecution and the Lord’s discipline, but never His wrath. The Day of the Lord is a day of wrath, and it is not meant for believers. Instead, our salvation guarantees that we will not suffer wrath.

Even after the Thessalonians received this letter, some were concerned lest the Day of the Lord had already come. Therefore, the subject is covered again with more detail in 2 Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–7 (NLT) ¹Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. ²Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the Day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. ³Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that Day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. ⁴He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call God and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. 

⁵Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? ⁶And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. ⁷For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

This passage says not to be deceived because the Day of the Lord cannot possibly have begun. How can it say this with such certainty? It is simple. We are reading it. Look at verse six. “And you know what is holding him back.” Verse seven tells us that when the one who is holding him back steps out of the way, then the man of lawlessness will be revealed. The revelation of the man of lawlessness marks the beginning of the Tribulation or Day of the Lord. But this cannot happen until the restrainer is removed. The restrainer is the Holy Spirit working through the Body of Christ, the Church. Everyone on Earth will know when the Church is removed, and then there will not be any question whether or not the Day of the Lord has come. Those who believe in Jesus after the Church is removed will not question whether they are in the Day of the Lord. They will read the book of Revelation carefully and without ceasing to see what will happen next.

We, as the Church, are not appointed to wrath. Therefore, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) ¹¹Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

This verse tells us what we are to be doing while we wait. We are to comfort each other and edify (build up) each other. The Thessalonians were doing both of these things. Are we?

Encourage Each Other

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV) ¹³But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

There is grief beyond words, deep grief. Some of you have experienced profound sorrow. Deep sadness comes for different reasons. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 mentions one of the reasons for such grief — no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 points to death as the cause of grief and the loss of hope. 

The Apostle Paul, who wrote the letter to the Thessalonians, says he does not want us to be uninformed. The word he uses means “without knowledge,” and has also been translated “ignorant.” Knowledge of the truth gives us hope, and hope gives us the strength to carry on.

Many of the Thessalonians believers were Gentiles who had accepted the God of the Hebrews as the one true God before they heard about Jesus. Therefore, they were not entirely without knowledge of Scriptural teachings about death and the afterlife. However, they lived in a culture and city with many different ideas of what happens when a person dies. 

Confusion about death, the afterlife and eternity began with the founding of the kingdom of Babylon not many years after the flood. Genesis 10 tells us:

Genesis 10:8–12 (NKJV) Cush begot Nimrod; ... And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, ..., in the land of Shinar. From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh,...

Cush was the son of Ham, the son of Noah. The growth of false religion dates back to Nimrod and Babel. In the Bible, Babylon is used to represent the kingdom of the world that opposes God. This historical reference from Genesis establishes that lies about death and eternity have been in circulation for over four thousand years. Confusion continues to increase as people continue to ignore the truth.

For example, the materialists in the world today teach that the brain creates personality. They think the neurons, chemicals, and activity in the brain give us the ability to think and are the source of personality. Therefore, when the brain ceases to operate, they believe the person ceases to exist. This view allows for no life after death.

Buddhism and related religions teach reincarnation. The soul is said to come back in a different form after death. This is called the transmigration of the soul.  The good or bad deeds of the soul determine the form the body will take in each transmigration.

Although reincarnation and materialism were being taught at the time, the Thessalonians would have been most familiar with Greek mythology. The Greeks taught that souls went to “Hades” after death. The idea was that, at the moment of death, the soul separated from the body. The soul still had the shape of the former person and was transported to the underworld’s entrance. Good people and bad people were separated and experienced torment or bliss, depending upon their conduct while in the body.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to establish them in the faith so they would stand firm in the face of persecution and opposition.  One of the foundational teachings of the gospel is what happens after we die. Clarity on this subject is essential. If there is no life after death, we need not fear judgment or punishment. If there is no life after death, Jesus would not have needed to die. Indeed, if there is no life after death, Jesus would not have risen from the dead, and our faith is meaningless.

Paul begins with the resurrection. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the single most important fact of Christianity. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is meaningless. One of the reasons the resurrection is so crucial is the fact that it is historically verifiable. Just because we were not there to observe it is no reason to maintain that it did not happen. For example, none of us doubt that Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, although none of us were there. Our faith that Lincoln was president is based on the testimony of the historical record. The historical record is based on the documents and writings from the days that Lincoln lived. Although Jesus lived more than eighteen hundred years before Lincoln, we have plenty of evidence for his death, burial, and resurrection. Many deny the historicity of Jesus’ life because of bias. We have more (or at least as) reliable evidence of Jesus’ life than we have of Julius Caesar’s life. Some people who doubt the facts of Jesus’ life do not doubt Caesar’s historicity.

Paul starts his teaching about life after death with the resurrection. He says,

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

The Apostle says, “If” not because of any doubt but because of certainty. Many translations render this phrase, “Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again.” Therefore, we have it on proper authority and evidence that there is life after death. The good authority is the Scriptures and what they teach concerning life and death. 

Life after death is something that cannot be tested in a laboratory. What happens after we die remains invisible to the physical eye. For His own reasons, God desires that we have faith. The Scriptures prove themselves to be reliable when examined objectively against the evidence. Therefore, when the Scriptures speak of things we cannot verify, we can reasonably trust that they speak the truth. However, the areas that we cannot prove are the exact places that the devil attacks with doubt, confusion, and deceit. We must rely on what the Scriptures say and not go beyond what the Bible teaches if we are to remain hopeful in a mixed-up world.

We have hope because the Scriptures promise that we will rise from the dead in the same way Jesus did. We are to encourage each other with these words, as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NKJV) ^18Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The words of 1 Thessalonians 1:14 begin telling the truths we are to comfort each other with.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

This verse points us to the hope we have because of the resurrection, and this hope is where our comfort begins. The next truth that brings comfort is the truth of the Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 (NKJV) ¹⁵For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ^17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

The Thessalonians knew that Jesus was supposed to return, but they were worried about those who passed away before Jesus’ return. The confusion concerning what happens after one dies left them wondering if those who died before Jesus’ return were lost forever. So, Paul reassures them that we who alive and remain will not precede those who have died in Jesus. 

Those who have died are with the Lord. This is why Paul says in verse 14, “God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” The Thessalonians needed clarity on questions about where those who have died are. We also need clarity about this. For example, teachings about purgatory and the purification of souls made their way into the Church after Paul wrote this letter. However, suppose we need purification after we die. In that case, Jesus’ sacrifice and death are not enough to cover all of our sins and unrighteousness. The Scriptures are clear that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So, purgatory, which is not taught in Scripture, is not necessary. 

The Apostle says the Lord will bring with Him those who are asleep. Then he says that we who are alive and remain when the Lord returns will not precede those who are asleep. In 1 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23, Paul expresses his desire to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. The implication of these verses is that when believers leave the body, they are immediately with the Lord.

The Apostle describes the events of the return of the Lord and the Rapture in verses 16 and 17. The dead in Christ will rise first. Although their souls are with the Lord, they will not receive their resurrection bodies until the Rapture. 

These verses do not contain the word “rapture.” Verse 17 says that we who are alive and remain will be “caught up.” This phrase is where we get our term “rapture.” The Latin translation of this verse used the word “Rapturo.” Early scholarship in the Church was in Latin. So, the term “Rapturo” or “Rapture” stuck. The meaning of “rapture” to be “caught up” or “snatched away.”

As believers, we look forward to the Rapture. When Paul wrote to his understudy, Titus, to instruct him on what to teach believers, he said that looking forward to the Rapture was a part of the believer’s life. He said they were to live:

Titus 2:13 (NKJV) ¹³looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

The return of the Lord Jesus is our glorious hope. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul has already mentioned this in his description of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 1:8–10 (NKJV) ⁹For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The fact that Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come explains why the Rapture is our blessed hope. Because of the confusion about life after death, the Apostle Paul instructs us to encourage each other with the resurrection and the Rapture.  Next, he tells us to encourage each other with eternity.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, he says:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV) And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

This simple statement points to eternity. We will always be with the Lord. When Jesus told us that He was going to prepare a place with us, He concludes His remarks with “that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) We are saved so we can be with the Lord forever. 

God created us to live with Him for eternity. However, He wants those who freely choose and desire to be with Him. The invitation is to everyone, but only a few accept. “Only a few” is relative to those who do not accept. Many millions have accepted God’s invitation, but the number of those who have not is much larger.

God does not want anyone to perish, and the large number of those who do not accept God’s invitation is what the devil is working toward. He is the enemy of our souls. His hatred of God and us is what led him to introduce destructive confusion about life after death. We need to encourage or comfort each other with the truths we reviewed today. 

1. The dead in Christ will rise from their graves.
2. All believers on earth will one day be caught up to meet Jesus in the air.
3. All believers will be with the Lord forever.

Brotherly Love

Abounding More and More, Part 2

(The Christian Life)

Brotherly Love

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Church in Thessalonica during the early days of the Christian Church. The New Testament was not available. He wrote just 26 years after Jesus returned to the Father. All the Apostles, except James, were still alive. Herod killed James in 44 A.D. The doctrines of the Church were not in writing yet. The Jerusalem council of Acts 15 settled the issue of whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised. However, very little of the New Testament was recorded by this point. Matthew might have written his Gospel by this time. There is also a chance that the Gospel of Mark was written before Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians.

The Old Testament, the Apostles, and the Holy Spirit were all the early Church had for doctrine and teaching. Therefore, 1 Thessalonians began laying the doctrinal foundation of the Church. It started the written record that is so important to us today.

In the first three chapters of 1 Thessalonians, Paul lays out the basics of salvation, such as faith in Jesus alone for salvation, God’s love and choice of His Church, and the believers’ need for each other. Then, he starts chapter four with “Finally.” He is marking a transition at this point. Until now, Paul has been reviewing fundamental doctrine. Now, he switches to practical matters. The Apostle has been telling them what it is to be saved. Now, he is telling them how they should live as a result of being saved.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, he urges them to live to please God.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, he urges them to abstain from sexual immorality.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, he urges them to increase in brotherly love.

He urges them to grow in these three areas: 

1. Pleasing God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
2. Sexual Purity. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
3. Brotherly Love. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

These three represent aspects of sanctification. Sanctification means being set apart to God. Sanctification is, in part, instantaneous as a person is made a child of God at salvation. It is also a process of growth as a person becomes more like Christ after salvation. The three aspects of sanctification listed above are not requirements for salvation. All that is required for salvation is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. However, all believers should show their faith by their actions. Paul points to these aspects of sanctification as being essential parts of our growth.

Last week I covered the first two, the plan this week is to cover the third one, “Brotherly Love.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9 says,

1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NKJV) ⁹But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

The words “but concerning” signal a transition in thought. Since Paul is making an abrupt change in thought, he marks the path so we can follow. He has been speaking on sexual immorality. Now, he is speaking about brotherly love. Although brotherly love requires sexual purity, Paul does not bring this up as part of his teaching on sexual purity. He marks the introduction of a new subject with the words “but concerning.”

Brotherly love is different from other types of love. We love our neighbor as ourselves, but we express an entirely different level of love for our spouse or children. Through the Scriptures, God commands a whole different level of commitment to one’s spouse as compared to others. Scripture requires us to care for and provide for our families with familial affection. A father’s love for a daughter or a son is a special bond that exists only in that relationship and in no other. Similarly, the brotherly love that exists between Christian brothers and sisters is unique to that relationship.

We love the lost and carry a burden of concern for their salvation, but this is not the same love that we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice the message of verse nine is that because they were taught by God to love each other, there was no need to write to them about the subject.

A believer is taught by God to love his fellow believers. When a person accepts Christ as Savior, he or she receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit within that person teaches him or her to love other believers. Such love is spontaneous. It comes without our knowing it at first. The Holy Spirit teaches us several things. He testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). He leads us into all truth (John 16:13). He teaches us to discern the truth (1 John 2:20).

Brotherly love is an essential part of who we are. Look at 1 John 4:20-21.

1 John 4:20–21 (NKJV) ²⁰If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ²¹And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

“He is a liar” are strong words, but they are the words of Scripture. This Scripture firmly connects love of our fellow Christian with love of God. Jesus also made the same connection. He said that our love for each other is our distinguishing characteristic.

John 13:35 (NKJV) ³⁵By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love and affection are a consistent theme throughout Thessalonians and the New Testament. Love is part of the nature of our God and Savior. If we do not love, we do not know God. The Thessalonians knew God, and it was evident because of their love. Paul says he did not need to write to them about it. However, in verse ten, he urges them to increase more and more. 

1 Thessalonians 4:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

The phrase increase more and more could be said to be over-emphatic. As a matter of fact, one of the commentaries I read said that it is over-emphatic. The idea behind the Greek word translated “increase” could also be translated “abound.” More precisely, it means to exceed or go beyond the expected measure. In English, we say someone has gone above and beyond what is expected. Paul is urging them and us to grow in this area. Paul could not use stronger language to express the importance of growing in this area because the stronger language does not exist.

Brotherly love affects our entire life, but Paul names three specific areas where our brotherly love will show itself. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says,

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NKJV) ¹¹that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

The three areas are: 

1. Strive to lead a quiet life
2. Accomplish your own
3. Work with your own hands

The Greek for “Strive to lead a quiet life” is an oxymoron. Strive to be at peace or rest. How can one strive and be at peace at the same time? This is only possible for the Christian. We work to please God and rest in the sufficiency of Christ at the same time. The quiet life we are called upon to lead encompasses the ideas of harmony. Many times the New Testament urges us to live at peace with each other. For example, Philippians 2 urges harmony and unity in the most persuasive language possible when it says:

Philippians 2:1–2 (NKJV) ¹Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ²fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Such harmony is what we are to strive for, but what do we strive for instead? Look at James 4 with me.

James 4:1–2 (NKJV) ¹Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ²You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.

We must understand that this was not written to humanity in general. James was writing to the Church — to you and me! Furthermore, we all carry scars and deep wounds from these battles. Paul urges us to strive to live a quiet life. Taking up our cross and following Jesus, as Jesus calls us to do, will lead to this quiet life. We must surrender our desires to Him. Our battles and scars are evidence of how far we have yet to go.

In addition to striving to lead a quiet life, Paul calls on us to “accomplish our own.”

We may understand “accomplish your own” better if we look at Galatians 6.

Galatians 6:3–5 (NKJV) ³For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵For each one shall bear his own load.

The truth taught in these verses points out how we ALL meddle. We all take our turn at telling another person how they should live. We speak to each other with words like “you should” or “you ought to.” 

The problem is that not one of us manages our own life perfectly, yet we try to tell others how they should live. We are to pray for each other. We are to try to understand each other. We are to listen to each other and encourage each other. We are to be interested and involved, but we are not to step over the line and tell another person how to live the life God has given them to live.

The obvious exceptions to this are moral issues. We are to confront each other about moral issues. We must warn each other not to steal, kill, or defraud others and stop each other from doing these things. However, we tend to overlook moral issues and pick at personal preferences or opinions. We must learn to distinguish between moral issues and opinions.

The second issue Paul brings up is working with one’s own hands.

“Work with your own hands” is a caution against laziness. Ephesians 4:28 says,

Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV): ²⁸Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Love requires that we meet our own needs and others’ needs as far as we are able. Not working with our own hands means we live off someone else’s labor, and this is stealing.

The obvious exception to this is those who are unable to provide for themselves for one reason or another. In this case, it is our privilege and a gift from God to meet the needs of others.

If you are one whose physical limitations keep you from working, do not be ashamed. If your contribution is nothing more than prayer, we need you more than we need money or labor. If you are one who could work but won’t, you should be ashamed and get a job.

Sanctification is practical. There are things we must do to become more like Christ. Three aspects of sanctification covered in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 are:

1. Pleasing God
2. Sexual purity
3. Brotherly love

A disciplined person can keep a set of rules — a list of do’s and don’ts. However, these three things require a work of God in our hearts that goes deeper than do’s or don’ts. These three things require that we not grieve the Holy Spirit but rather yield our lives and desires to Him.