CHAPTER 1

This Epistle was written to the church in Thessalonica soon
after the first.

Silas and Timothy returned from Madedonia with the report which
caused Paul's writing 1Thessalonians.
(See Acts 18:5 and 1Thess. 3:1-6).
That was probably the middle of A.D. 50.

A few months later 2Thessalonians followed, in response to
reports that certain problems which were not yet resolved.
It was certainly written to congratulate them on growth in Christ,
loving and caring for one another, and eduring persections.
Perhaps, also, it was written to address some misunderstanding of
the first Epistle. (See 2Thess. 2:2-4)

It IS IMMANENT that the "day of Christ" will
include destruction of the universe and reconstruction of the same.
But THAT is not IMMINENT!
We should live our lives according to the fact; but we should
also remember it will not occur until there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed..."

It is IMMINENT that the Lord Jesus will return to receive
His people BEFORE the man of sin is revealed.
That is the catching away of true Christians spoken of
in 1Thess. 4:17.
In fact, it is the next event in the calendar of God.

We, Christians, should live our lives as if Christ would appear
TODAY!

CHAPTER 1
Vss 1-2
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the
Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.

Vs 1
Note that Paul includes the names of some of his company as
being with him.
To me, this implies brotherhood prayer before our Lord inspires
Paul to write the letter.

Note also that the church of the Thessalonians is considered
"IN God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul had personally witnessed their salvation and is testifying
to the realness of their continued profession of faith in Jesus.

Vs 2
Note that Paul substantiates the priesthood of the believer
in that he imparts grace and peace from God through Christ.
ANY true believing Christian has the privilege of imparting
FROM God TO others that grace and peace.

Vss 3-4
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is
meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the
charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for
your pratience and faith in all you persecutions and tribulations
that ye endure.

It would seem that Paul had heard from the church in Thessalonia
since his last writing.
Now, God's Holy Spirit is inspiring him to write another letter,
because he has heard that their "faith groweth exceedingly,
and the charity of every one of you all toward each other
aboundeth."

Paul thanks God for them, and says they "glory", or
speak of them in other churches.
It is known that they suffer "persecutions", but they
are enduring and still growing.

How am I, and how are you growing in our faith; even
when we are enduring difficult times?

Vs 5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that
ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye
also suffer.

The "righteous judgment of God" obviously refers to the
final judgment.
At that time, God will reward the just, and the wicked will be
punished for persecuting the faithful followers of Christ.

In Philippians 1:28, the Scripture says, "And in nothing terrifed
by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of
perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."
Persecution for living faith in Christ is a token to both the
saved and those who persecute them!
By being a token it is EVIDENCE of a future judgment!

Vs 6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribultion
to them that trouble you.

God is always just and righteous.
It would be UNrighteous of Him to not punish the wicked who
persecuted those who live faith in Christ.

Vs 7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.

For those who have endured persecution while living in faith
toward Christ, there will be REST!
The future eternity of those who have followed Jesus, will be
REST from ALL enemies of Christ!
It is righteous of God to reward those who have endured
persecution for Christ's sake.
However, it certainly is of GRACE and MERCY, because NONE
shall deserve a reward! (See Rom. 3:23, & 6:23)

The Lord Jesus will certainly return one day "with His mighty
angels." (See also, Matt. 24:30-31, and 1Thess. 4:16)

Vs 8-10
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the Gosepl of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;
10 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be
admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among
you was believed) in that day.

Vs 8
The King of kings and Lord of lords shall take vengeance
upon those who have refused Jesus as Lord of all!

Deuteronomy 32:43 says, "Rejoice, O ye nations, with His
people: for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will
render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful unto
His land, and to His people."
And, vs 35 of Deut. 32 says (in part) To me belongeth
vengeance, and recompence...."

Ours is not to avenge, nor to take vengeance; it belongs to God!

(At university, Ghandi had a professor who didn't like him.
The professor tried several times to irk Ghandi, but it was always
dismissed.
One day the professor wrote the word IDIOT on a paper
Ghandi had submitted.
Ghandi took the paper and sat down. After class, he approached
the professor and said, "Sir, you signed my paper, but you didn't
give me a grade.")

Vs 9
Those who have refused Jesus as Lord in this life, will be
banished from God's presence for eternity!

Vs 10
Jesus will come to be "glorified" by those who have
surrendered to Him and served Him.
His mercy has ordained it, and will establish it.

Vss 11-12
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that
our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the
the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with
power.
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,
and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ.

Vs 11
* "..worthy of this calling.."
The prayer is that they continue to endure persecutions, which
exhibits the truth of their "calling" to belong to Jesus.
* "..fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness..."
The second part of the prayer pertains to them DOING the work
in order to please God.
* "..and the work of faith with power."
The third part of the prayer concerns "faith."
That faith is GIVEN by God to those who surrender to Christ.
(See Eph. 1:13)
And, that faith has POWER from God to continue and endure!

Vs 12
When a person continues in the faith of Christ, regardless of
circumstances or even persecution, it GLORIFIES Jesus!

We, as Christians, must REMEMBER that endurance is by the
GRACE of God - BECAUSE, He gave us the faith and the power.

Christians are "in Him" by the grace of God!
And He is "in you by surrender to His offer of salvation!

Salvation is OF God FOR those who daily take the cross of
self-sacrifice for HIS glory. (See Lk. 9:23)
And, salvation is FOR God's GLORY; so, let us live to GLORIFY
Him!!