It’s Wednesday, which means we’ll be livestreaming our service this evening at 6:30 pm. Having completed our travels on Route 66 (going through every one of the 66 books of the Bible in a very brief overview) we are now studying 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
Any special reason for these two books, one might ask? And the answer is yes. These are the first books written to Gentile converts, which relates to most of us. They are written to new converts, speaking of basic and essential doctrine, and they rely less on Old Testament Jewish history than many of the books, particularly the Gospels. These two books speak clearly to us in this age of our walk with Christ, and they do so in the most practical manner. And while we (especially, I guess, we older Christians) look for and long for the rapture of the Church, we also see glimpses of a time beyond that, speaking of that “Man of Sin” who will be a major factor during the seven-year-Tribulation Period. This is the time of Jacob’s Trouble, taking place after our rapture, after and during the Judgment Seat of Christ, and which, by its termination and before the LORD returns in power and glory in Revelation chapter 19, the Marriage of the Lamb will have been completed. Great stuff!
Paul, the Church Age Apostle is the human author, and he speaks of the main theme of the Bible, the 2nd Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ. Knowing the end ought to aid us during the process. “I read the back of the Book, and we win” is always a good thought. Verses two through four of chapter one give so much comfort and inspiration as we go through each day of service to Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 KJV) “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” That‘s a summation of how Paul thinks of us, and that’s how God thinks of us.
It has to be “awfully comforting” (Maine Talk) for the new convert to know the truth of those statements, and it sure brings a smile to my face to be reminded of where we stand with Brother Paul, and with the one Pastor Fred Neidy used to refer to as “Our Lovely LORD Jesus!.”
Love and Prayers to you all,
Pastor
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