TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
In Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. - 1 Corinthians 4:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a report entitled “Fathers and Father-Figures: Their Important Role in Children's Social and Emotional Development.” The authors note, “Evidence shows that the quality of interactions in a father-child relationship positively impacts the cognitive, social and moral development of young children.” They go on to state that positive play time between a father and child may also be linked with that child's ability to interact well with other children.

Yesterday we saw that Paul used the image of a caring mother to describe his relationship with the Thessalonians. In today's passage he uses the image of a father to develop this picture further. Recall from our study yesterday that, as an apostle, Paul could have legitimately asked the Thessalonian church to provide for his daily needs while in their midst. Instead, in today's passage, we find that Paul was working, most likely as a tentmaker, throughout the day and ministering to the new converts well into the night. In addition to indicating his love for the Thessalonian church, this also shows the depth of his commitment to preach the gospel.

Once again, we see that Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his blameless conduct throughout his stay there; most likely his opponents were spreading rumors of some type of improper conduct on the part of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Far from anything objectionable, however, Paul's actions were pure in God's sight, without any injustice, and free from any possible impropriety. The three descriptions that Paul uses of his conduct leave no basis for any accusation that might have been brought against him.

Yet deeper than faultless actions was Paul's commitment to interact with the Thessalonians as a father would with his own children. Here we find a wonderful glimpse into God's intentions for fathers: encouraging when a child is discouraged, comforting when a child is upset, and urging a child toward maturity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One theme that will recur in this month's study is godly living in light of the end times. In today's passage, Paul urges believers to live lives worthy of their destination, the glorious kingdom of God. Our transformed lives confirm that His kingdom is already victorious because of Jesus' incarnation, resurrection, and ascension. Yet we're also urged to live our lives in accordance with our future participation in the kingdom, when God's rule is finally established and His glory is fully revealed throughout all the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! - Matthew 23:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
In central Asian countries, such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, new Christians are considered traitors both to native religious traditions and to their own families. Many new converts are isolated or beaten to “bring them back to their senses.” Yet remarkably, Christianity is growing here. What the Thessalonian church experienced from nonbelieving neighbors has been repeated worldwide for the past two thousand years. In fact, what the Thessalonians endured had already been experienced by the Judean churches, as Paul notes in our passage.

Paul likely linked the experiences of the Thessalonian church with Jewish believers in Judea to show these Gentile converts that those who received the gospel at the very beginning were also persecuted. In other words, the Thessalonians hadn't done something wrong, rather persecution often went hand-in-hand with the gospel.

The mention of the Jews in today's passage is troublesome for some who may think it suggests anti-Semitic sentiments on the part of Paul or the early church. Recall, however, that Paul, a Jew, never opposed the Jews as an entire group simply because they were Jewish, but only those Jews who rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah. Moreover, not all Jews opposed the gospel, as Paul's own conversion makes clear. Also recall from our study on Acts (see September 2007), that Paul's strategy was always to minister first in local synagogues until he was forced to leave, just as he had done in Thessalonica.

In addition to rejecting God's Messiah, Jews who opposed the gospel made matters worse by seeking to prevent evangelism among Gentiles. As Bible scholar R. C. H. Lenski writes, “The worst feature of unbelief is not its own damnation, but its effort to frustrate the salvation of others.” This is the idea behind heaping up their sins and God's wrath coming upon these Jews (v. 16). Yet Romans 9 through 11 teaches that Israel's rejection of God's plan leads to the gospel coming to the Gentiles and that God's promises for Israel have not been voided in the process.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage focuses on God's unique purposes for Israel. It also offers encouragement in a more general way that persecutors of the gospel aren't outside the scope of God's sovereign purposes. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church began in 1996 and has grown to become one of the largest days of prayer. As Christians pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters, it's also important to pray for those who persecute. To learn more, you can visit www.persecutedchurch.org.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. - 2 Corinthians 3:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
If there's one object that uniquely identifies Queen Elizabeth II, it's her stunning crown. Originally created for George IV, this crown, known as the Diamond Diadem, is set with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow stone in the front. Around its base are 169 pearls. Depictions of Queen Elizabeth II wearing this crown are found on British stamps.

It's easy to see why brilliant royal crowns such as this are associated with glory and honor. Yet, in today's passage, Paul speaks of a much different crown, one that will never be displayed in a museum or worn in coronation ceremony, but one that is far more glorious and brilliant. Employing yet another metaphor to describe his relationship with the Thessalonians, Paul likens their relationship with Jesus to a crown that will bring future glory in the presence of Christ's return.

The Greek word used for crown here depicts the crowns given in athletic competitions, such as laurel wreaths. Unlike those fading crowns, however, the true reward that awaits believers comes from investing in the lives of others. Paul expresses this same idea in today's verse from 2 Corinthians; it's not letters of commendation based on education or business accomplishments, but rather the lives of individuals whom we've impacted for Christ Jesus, that will count in the end. This isn't boasting, but rather the deep joy of a life spent serving the Lord, the true impact of which is only visible when He returns in glory.

Seeing how greatly Paul loved these believers helps to understand the great pain that he must have felt when he was forced to leave them. Notice the strong image of being torn away that he uses in verse 17. The switch from the first person plural (“we”) to singular (“I”) further underscores the pain that Paul felt. These verses also show that the real force behind opposition to the gospel is not human persecutors, but rather Satan himself.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We may never have a royal crown, but we might long for other crowns, such as career advancement, a big house, social status, or athletic glory. But today's passage presents a far more precious crown. The beauty of this crown is its dependence upon the Lord. Often we have no idea how we're being used by Him in others' lives. What freedom this gives us! We're free to minister, knowing that pouring ourselves into others' lives will bring Him glory when He returns.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. - 2 Timothy 3:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In today's age of instant communication, it's easy to forget the anxiety that comes from not being able to communicate with someone or even to know his or her whereabouts. But if you've ever had a child or close friend travel to a very isolated area, then you might know how hard this can be. The understandable anxiety that accompanies not knowing another's circumstances explains Paul”˜s state of mind in today's passage.

Recall that Paul, Silas, and Timothy had to leave Thessalonica hastily. From there, they traveled to Berea where a large numbers of Jews put their faith in Jesus. But the Jews who had caused problems in Thessalonica came to Berea and created problems there as well. Consequently, Paul had to flee again, this time to Athens, over 200 miles to the south. Eventually, Paul left Athens for Corinth. According to Acts 18:5, Timothy and Silas finally met with Paul in Corinth. As we noted earlier, it is likely that Paul wrote his letters to the Thessalonians from this city.

Unable to bear the uncertainty of not knowing how the young Thessalonian church was doing, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (v. 2). The depth of Paul's love for this church is all the more remarkable when we remember that his stay with them was relatively short. Paul's actions also show his high regard for Timothy, whom he entrusted with this important mission. Apparently Timothy hadn't been associated with the earlier uprising and was free to travel back to Thessalonica.

Paul's ministry of strengthening and encouraging the Thessalonians implies that the Jewish opponents were likely trying to persuade these young believers to abandon Christianity and to convert to Judaism. Some may have been tempted by this possibility as a means of avoiding persecution. Once again, however, we see that the real entity behind such temptation is not human, but Satan, whom Paul describes here as “the tempter” (v. 5).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul's concern for the Thessalonians underscores the dangers that believers face. The gospel often comes with persecution and temptations to abandon the faith, even for mature Christians. Perhaps you've walked with the Lord for some time, but feel tempted to pull back in your Christian walk. All believers need strengthening and encouragement. This might be a good time to join a Bible study or find a prayer group. Strong fellowship is a good defense against temptation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29
I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. - 2 Corinthians 11:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
For the past year, an increasing number of foreign missionaries and pastors have been forced to leave Jordan, often falsely accused of engaging in illegal activities. Finnish pastor Hannu Lahtien, deported in December 2007, said this about Jordanian officials: “They said that I am a threat to Jordanian security and I am making the society unstable.” Those forced to leave often anxiously await news about the churches and fellowships they've left behind.

These Christians leaders' anxiety gives some insight into what Paul must have felt as he waited for news about the Thessalonians. Paul's intense feeling of joy and relief when he received the good report from Timothy is revealed in his word choice. In verse 6, talking about Timothy's “good news,” he used the same verb that is normally connected with the good news of the gospel. In a sense this report was like the gospel because it attested to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ not only to bring people to saving faith but also to preserve them in that faith.

In addition to their steadfast confidence in Christ, the Thessalonians also longed to be with Paul. The depth of Paul's longing was reciprocated by the Thessalonians. Timothy's report certainly was “good news” indeed.

It's not exactly clear what type of distress is meant in verse 7. Possibly Paul was referring back to what had happened in Philippi, Thessalonica, or Berea. When Paul finally arrived in Corinth (where he received Timothy's report), he was beat down: “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). Rather than any specific event, however, it's likely that Paul had in mind his anxiety that the Thessalonians had succumbed to the tempter (1 Thess. 3:5).

Second Corinthians 11 lists the many physical hardships Paul endured for the gospel. Remarkably, his greatest burden was his “concern for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:28). What a great testimony about Paul's deep burden for the churches that he had planted!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passages show what brought Paul joy and what kept him awake at night. In both cases, the physical circumstances of his life—whether deprivation or abundance—were secondary. What impacted him most was the spiritual condition of those he loved. The good report about the Thessalonians brought him intense joy; fear of possible spiritual failure distressed him greatly. None of us is called to the same ministry as Paul, but his concern for people, and not his circumstances, is an example for all of us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:8-10
I have no greater joy that to hear that my children are walking in the truth. - 3 John 4
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1982, the champagne company Moët & Chandon began monitoring the price changes of luxury goods and services in New York City with the Moët Luxury Index, or what the company preferred to call “the cost of ”˜really' living.” The Index has since expanded to track luxury items worldwide. In 2006, one of the largest consumers of high-end luxury goods was China, where “really” living has meant a 50 percent increase in annual sales for LVMH Moët Hennessy—Louis Vuitton, the world's largest producer of luxury goods.

For many people, the idea of “really” living involves fabulous wealth and unlimited consumption of luxury items. “Living” is often associated with what we can consume or show off to others; “real living” is seldom associated with the impact that we can have on others' spiritual maturity. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians powerfully challenges these popular ideas by showing that real living is not directed toward ourselves and what stuff we can have but is focused on others.

It's clear that Paul poured out his life for the gospel. The good report concerning the Thessalonians was a testimony to his hard work and perseverance. Yet when he heard the good news about their spiritual maturity, his gratitude was immediately directed toward God. Unlike young children who need to be prodded to say thank you when they receive a gift, Paul's immediate response to this good report was gratitude to God. In verse 9, he uses a rhetorical question to underscore the depth of his thanksgiving.

It would have been easy to be content with the Thessalonians' current state, but Paul wanted them to press on even further. The expression “night and day” pictures Paul's earnestness in this regard (v. 10). The idea of something lacking in the Thessalonians' faith doesn't mean that they were defective in some way, but rather that they were spiritually young and immature. Paul knew that their conversion and initial growth was just the beginning. Now he longed for increasing maturity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul's priorities were always focused on people, not things. Yet for many of us, it's easy to let the things crowd out the people. Today, prayerfully consider your priorities. Ask the Spirit for eyes to see any misplaced priorities and for the desire to focus on what really matters most—the lives that the Lord has entrusted to you. The world's greatest luxury items can never compare with the riches of being used by the Lord to increase the spiritual maturity of other believers.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
No one has ever seen God: but if we love one another . . . his love is made complete in us. - 1 John 4:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
When pastor Scott Wright first met his future wife, he wasn't a Christian. No doubt he noticed her beautiful eyes and winsome smile, but what he recalls most from that time was how she and her friends loved each other. They really enjoyed being together. Prior to meeting his wife, Scott thought he knew how to have fun—parties, baseball games, late nights drinking. But the love and joy he encountered in this new group wasn't like anything that he'd seen before. Eventually this is what drew Scott to Christ.

The popular chorus “And they'll know we are Christians by our love” captures Scott's experience. Millions of people like him have been “loved” into the kingdom. Given the power of Christian love, it's no wonder Paul prayed that the Thessalonians' love would increase.

Recall from yesterday Paul's praise to God for the good report about the Thessalonians. The benediction recorded in today's passage flows naturally from that gratitude. Notice first the affirmation of Christ's deity. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians is one of Paul's earliest letters, which counters the popular idea that the very early church didn't affirm that Jesus was God.

From this, Paul turns to love. Notice that Paul prays that the Thessalonians would not only love each other, but also love everyone else. It's easy to love those within your own circle, but love extended to outsiders is powerful. For the Thessalonians this included loving their persecutors. Finally Paul prays that the Thessalonians would be strengthened to be holy and blameless in God's presence. Here holiness indicates being set apart for God, and blameless is a legal term that describes a believer's standing before God. Here we see another link between godly living now and Christ's future return.

Today's prayer anticipates the rest of the letter, where holiness (4:1-8), love (4:9-12), and Christ's return (4:13-5:11) will be discussed further.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's prayer can be prayed for all believers everywhere because love and holiness should always be increasing in every believer's life. The connection between love and holiness can be easily overlooked, but as Bible scholar D. Edmund Hiebert aptly notes, “An unloving man cannot be a holy man.” Notice also that the process of standing blameless at Christ's return begins now. Consider adopting this wonderful prayer for yourself and other believers in your life, such as members of a Bible study group or choir.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. - Colossians 2:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Statements of faith have always been central to the church. The Apostles' Creed was likely used to instruct new believers in the essentials of the faith. In a.d. 381, the church Council of Constantinople drafted one of the most widely cited creeds, the Nicene Creed. In 1571, the Church of England published the Thirty-Nine Articles. In 1646, the Westminster Confession of Faith was written, which has become the basis for many later Reformed statements of faith.

Why have church leaders put such value on adopting systematic summaries of core Christians doctrines? First, Christianity rests on a nonnegotiable set of affirmations about Jesus Christ—that He was born as a human being, although He is fully God; that He was crucified; that He was raised from the dead; that He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven. Second, the significance of these facts often needs to be stated in ways that can be heard afresh by new generations. Our personal faith in Jesus Christ includes our unique experiences of how He has changed our own lives, but it ultimately rests on core elements that are the same for every believer throughout history and around the world.

These core confessions are behind Paul's language of “instruction” in today's passage. Having prayed that the Thessalonians would grow in love and holiness, Paul then reminded these young believers of the instruction that he had given them when he was with them and the “basics” of Christian living that flow from this instruction. Although Paul had seen evidence of their spiritual growth, he exhorted them to press on even further in this regard.

Although Paul doesn't recap what he had taught the Thessalonians, the rest of this letter apparently revisits his instruction. First, Paul addresses godly living, including sexual purity, love for fellow believers, and proper ambitions (our next four studies). Then, he teaches about Christ's return, church discipline, and further instruction about holy living.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
According to F. F. Bruce, early Christian instruction included three components: a) the gospel (the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus); b) the teachings of Christ; and, c) ethical instruction in godly living. Throughout history, each component has been attacked or denied. It's always important for Christians to be grounded in the “basics.” To get started, Campus Crusade for Christ offers a great resource called “10 Basic Steps toward Christian Maturity,” available at www.ccci.org/growth/10-basic-steps/.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Put to death . . . your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust. - Colossians 3:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
In its opening weekend, the movie Sex and the City was the number one movie in America, earning nearly $56 million. The movie brought to the big screen the popular TV series that followed the lives and loves of four New York City women. Known for its graphic discussion of the largely extramarital sexual antics of these women, the series offered a window into many Americans' attitudes about morality and sexuality. In many ways this series both reflected and shaped American culture with permissive attitudes towards sex.

The Thessalonians also came out of a culture that endorsed immorality. Young men were expected to be sexually active before marriage, and married men frequently had mistresses. In large cities, temple prostitution was common. Then, like today, the idea of sexual purity seemed ridiculous.

Paul's instruction in today's passage shows the clear link between holiness—being set apart for God—and sexuality. Some mistakenly believe the two can never come together. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that sexuality is part of God's design for humanity, a gift to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage. Sexual immorality, whether fornication or adultery, involves sex outside of marriage.

Sexual desire is powerful, and it's easy to let it get out of control and allow lust and passion to drive one's thoughts and actions. The expression “passionate lust” has the idea of taking something, almost violently. The idea of wronging another shows that sexual sin often involves taking what's not legitimately one's own—it's grasping after what God has not given, as today's verse from Colossians makes clear. Holiness requires yielding to the Lord so that one might give oneself in reverence and love to one's marriage partner.

Although this teaching might have seemed hopelessly out of touch with reality, Paul makes it clear that rejecting such instruction meant more than ignoring Paul, it was in fact a denial of God Himself and His indwelling Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage might be painful for some readers with promiscuous backgrounds. That's why it's essential to understand God's intentions for sexuality and His forgiveness for sins. For married readers, this passage reminds that sex is a holy gift—one that must be protected and respected. It reminds unmarried Christians to make godly choices, given today's increasingly permissive environment. For all, it challenges us that what we do with our bodies can never be separated from our growth in holiness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. - 2 Corinthians 8:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the past several months, South Africa has been rocked by a series of riots, directed mainly at the large number of foreigners from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, who seek jobs in South Africa. Thousands have been displaced and now live in tent cities, where food shortages are rampant. Table View Assembly of God church has made it its mission to collect and distribute food among these refugees. According to Christianity Today editor Mark Galli, this church is “becoming known as the church that feeds the hungry.”

What a wonderful reputation to have! Similarly, the church in Thessalonica had a reputation as “the church that's known for its brotherly love.” Today's reading from 2 Corinthians 8 outlines how the Macedonian churches, the Thessalonian church being one of them, gave generously out of their extreme poverty to the relief fund that Paul was collecting for the impoverished Jerusalem church. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul only focuses on their love throughout Macedonia. The passage from Corinthians shows that they also loved those whom they had never met.

Yesterday we saw that Paul had to remind the Thessalonian church about sexual purity, perhaps because some problems in this regard were brought to his attention or because sexual permissiveness was so prevalent around them. In today's passage, Paul makes it clear that no reminder about brotherly love was necessary—loving each other was something that the Thessalonians had fully grasped! In fact, as we've seen before, this church was a model throughout the region (1 Thess. 1:7).

It's likely that one way that Paul knew about the love of these believers was that they had been instrumental in establishing churches throughout this region. Recall that Thessalonica was a commercial center, and with many thousands of people going through the city, news about the love that the Thessalonians showed could have traveled quite far.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Christians can distinguish themselves from the surrounding culture by sexual purity and love for others. Apparently, the Thessalonians needed some reminders about the first area, but they were doing well in the second. Even so, Paul urged them to love “more and more.” Both purity and love grow the more they're exercised. Consider whether your thoughts and attitudes are more pure and whether your love for others is greater than a year ago. If not, ask the Spirit to show you how to grow in these areas.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. - Colossians 4:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Celebrity weeklies are a big—and a highly competitive—business. Each week, slick magazines such as People, US Weekly, In Touch Weekly, and Star, compete for lucrative single-copy newsstand sales. One-time events, such as the first photos of the late Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn, boosted sales for OK! magazine by 41 percent. Top-selling People magazine averages about 1.5 million newsstand sales per week, with over 3.7 million annual subscribers. In 2004, celebrity weeklies brought in $783 million, nearly one third of all newsstand revenue.

What is it about celebrities that holds such fascination for so many? Perhaps it's the titillating desire to know “the real scoop” about the glamorous; perhaps it's an attempt to live vicariously through celebrity lives. Whatever the reason, it's clear that a lot of people are willing to devote money and time to follow the ups and downs of celebrities.

The Thessalonians weren't consumed by celebrity weeklies, but it's clear that some were having a hard time minding their own business. The “quiet life” that Paul has in mind suggests a life that isn't overly driven or ambitious for the things that don't matter. It means a life concerned with how one is doing with the Lord, and not trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing.

There also seems to have been a problem with some Thessalonian Christians believing that the Lord was returning so soon that working for a living was no longer necessary. These individuals were apparently relying upon the generosity of others within the local body of Christ. It's also possible that some had an aversion to manual labor, which was looked down upon by many Greeks. Elsewhere the Bible makes it clear that some individuals, such as widows, have a legitimate need to be taken care of by the local church (see Acts 6). Here, however, the problem appears to be laziness and an undue preoccupation with other people's lives.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This passage offers two cautions concerning our witness as a Christian community to unbelievers. First, it warns against being a “busybody,” or becoming inappropriately involved in other people's business. Second, this passage doesn't suggest that we have nothing to do with others. We're not supposed to have a hands-off policy, holding ourselves aloof. Instead, it's about the right concern for one another that shows to outsiders the loving trust and care that's possible within the body of Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Death has been swallowed up in victory. - 1 Corinthians 15:54
TODAY IN THE WORD
People have many ideas about what the Rapture might be like.One cartoon shows two fathers, the one opening the door to his backyard where several kids are seen jumping on a trampoline. He says to the other father, “You're just in time for rapture practice!” Or there's the bumper sticker that reads: “In case of the rapture, can I have your car?” Today's passage is the only place in the Bible that directly discusses this important topic.

The Thessalonians were troubled about believers who had already died. Apparently, they were so concerned that some had become like those “who have no hope.” It's likely that this confusion arose in part because the Christian teaching about the resurrection was difficult for many pagans to understand. Unlike Jews who hoped for a final resurrection of the Jewish nation, most Gentiles had only vague ideas about the immortality of soul.

It's clear that Paul had already instructed the Thessalonians about bodily resurrection. (Verse 14 probably reflects an early creedal statement.) Yet apparently some mistakenly felt that believers who had died before the Lord's return had missed out. To offer assurance and correction, Paul appeals to a “word of the Lord” (v. 15). This teaching of Christ isn't explicitly recorded in the Gospels (but see John 21:25), although it parallels Matthew 24:30-31 and Mark 13:26-27.

When considered with the rest of biblical teaching about the end times, this passage indicates that the Rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation, followed by Christ's return. Some Christians believe that the Rapture and Christ's return will occur together, but what's undeniably clear—and a great encouragement for all believers—is that Jesus is coming back for His own. After those who have died in Christ are raised (v. 16), then those who are still alive at that time will join with them and with Christ. The archangel and the trumpet (v. 16) reveal the glory that accompanies this great event.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Rapture of the church merits further study. We suggest the following three resources, available online or from your local bookstore. Three Views on the Rapture (published by Zondervan) has contributions by noted Bible scholars Paul Feinberg, Douglas Moo, and Richard Reiter and is edited by Gleason Archer Jr. Additionally, the following books contain chapters or sections on the Rapture: Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns and The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans (both from Moody Publishers).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. - Acts 1:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the late 1980s, Korean pastor Lee Jang-rim predicted that Christ would return on October 28, 1992. Thousands of his followers sold their houses in preparation. When the date passed uneventfully, some committed suicide. Lee was later imprisoned for stealing $4 million from his parishioners. A few years later, predictions of Christ's return abounded in anticipation of the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997. Nearly a century earlier, Charles Taze Russell, the founder of Jehovah's Witnesses, used intricate Bible studies to claim that Christ would return in 1910, which he later changed to 1914, and then again to 1929.

Since Christ's ascension, there's been no shortage of predictions of the year—or in some cases, the very hour—of His return. Today's passage cautions against such efforts. As we saw in yesterday's study, believers are to be encouraged by the certainty that the Lord is coming back for His own, even if all the details of that glorious event aren't as clear as we might wish.

Verse 1 indicates that Paul had taught about this before. There may have been some false teachers in Thessalonica who claimed that the day of the Lord had already taken place. Others were claiming that there wasn't anything to worry about, perhaps denying any final judgment, preaching “peace and safety.” The mention of the thief indicates that the day of the Lord is associated with judgment, just as it is in the Old Testament (see Amos 5:18-20 and Zeph. 1:14-18).

Many scholars believe that Christians will be raptured before the events described in this passage. Others claim that believers will be raptured either during or after these terrible events. But Scripture is clear that no one will be able to predict the exact time at which the Lord will return. Yesterday's passage shows that it will be a glorious event for believers; today's passage adds that it will be destruction for those who have rejected Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Concerning the Lord's return, we must be careful to avoid two extremes. The first is to become preoccupied with efforts to determine a precise time and date. The second is to think so little about this event that nothing in our daily lives is impacted. Consider for a moment what changes you would make in your life if the Lord were to return next week . . . or today. As we'll see tomorrow, wise believers live as if the Lord might return any day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. - Matthew 25:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Once ten young women joyously anticipated the groom's arrival. It was getting dark, so they turned on the flashlights they had with them. Five also brought extra batteries in case the wait was long. As they waited, they got sleepy and fell asleep. Suddenly, someone cried, “He's coming, he's coming!” By then the batteries had worn down on the flashlights, but the five with extra batteries quickly swapped in the fresh batteries. The others asked them for spare batteries, but there weren't any. So they ran off to the nearest all-night supermarket. But while they were gone, the groom arrived and all those who were ready joined him and entered the banquet hall. Then the doors were locked. When those who had gone to get batteries came back, it was too late.

You might think that the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) is unfair: why didn't the five women with extra batteries share? Why were the doors locked? How could they have known they would wait so long? But Jesus told this story (here with slightly updated technology) to show that His true followers must live always prepared for His return.

We don't know if this parable was in Paul's mind when he wrote 1 Thessalonians. Both passages make it clear that those who live unprepared for Christ's return will get caught off guard and will have terrible consequences. Darkness often portrays moral rebellion in the Bible. Sleep portrays a lack of readiness or vigilance for His return. It also suggests a moral indifference. Drunkenness indicates the dulling effect that comes from preoccupation with worldly things and ways.

This passage is sobering, but Paul offers several encouragements. First, as believers, we're in the light (v. 5). Second, because of this, we're to put on faith, love, and hope. This military image indicates that this triad—faith, love, and hope—actually protects our hearts and minds against the moral darkness around us. Third, believers aren't awaiting wrath, but salvation. Finally, we're to encourage one another with these powerful truths.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Bible scholar G. K. Beale writes, “To be drunk spiritually is to imbibe too much of the world's way of looking at things and not enough of the way God views reality. To be intoxicated with the world's wine is to be numbed to feeling any fear in the presence of a coming judgment.” Like the wise virgins, we're to live ready for Christ to return at any time. Rather than being caught off guard or ashamed, we'll be ready to enter the wedding hall rejoicing and singing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
I urge . . . that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness. - 1 Timothy 2:1-2
TODAY IN THE WORD
In December 2007, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) ran a story about Pastor Buddy Westbrook and a lawsuit that had been filed against him and the church that he pastors, Crossland Community Bible Church. When Pastor Westbrook discovered that a woman in his church was seeking a divorce because she had a relationship with another man, he and the church elders carefully followed the procedures outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 for confronting a brother or sister caught in sin. Although the church intended restoration and healing, the woman who was confronted still decided to divorce her husband and marry the other man. She then proceeded to sue Pastor Westbrook for allegedly violating confidentiality, although she had previously agreed to the church's constitution, which explained the policy of church discipline.

While this case is complicated and is still in court, it shows a growing misunderstanding that many Christians have concerning the purpose and value of church leaders. It seems that there was similar confusion occurring in Thessalonica. Verses 12 and 13 suggest that church leaders were not respected or loved, although they were pouring their lives out for the Thessalonians. Many in the Thessalonian church probably became believers at the same time, so it's not hard to imagine that some would balk at the idea of fellow believers having spiritual authority over them, even if, as seems to be the case, these leaders had been chosen by Paul and were spiritually gifted.

The idleness described here (v. 14) may have involved those who stopped working, anticipating the immediate return of the Lord. But the Greek word is probably better translated as “undisciplined” or “disruptive.” By not working, these individuals were apparently entangled in matters they shouldn't have been. The timid may have become “faint-hearted” over the death of dear friends and confusion about their final state. The weak here were likely spiritually weak or immature. Clearly these church leaders had their hands full!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Verses 16 through 18 present three characteristics of the Christian life: joy, prayer, and gratitude—the antidote for the problems outlined in the previous verses. Joy is a hallmark of true Christianity, especially in difficult circumstances. Prayer is as much about the act of praying as it is about an attitude of dependence upon God. Finally, there's gratitude. Notice that Paul doesn't say to give thanks for all circumstances but rather in all circumstances. Difficulties are best understood in the eternal perspective of Christ's return.