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     Jesus IS Coming For His Church!  Paul established the church in Thessalonica early in his ministry, on his second missionary journey. It was one of the churches that suffered grave persecution from the very beginning of it’s existence. But the testimony of the church rang forth! In Paul’s words,  “… the report about your faith in God has gone everywhere.”

     The first letter Paul writes to the Thessalonian Church is from Corinth. He wants to encourage them in their new found faith. They have some very practical questions about what Paul had taught them about Jesus Christ and His coming back for them. What if a believer dies before Jesus comes? Some of our friends and relatives have died! Will they still be resurrected? When will Jesus come? Will it be soon? Paul assures them, “YES!! He will come! And even the dead will be raised! Comfort one another with that knowledge.” He tells them to go on working and serving faithfully as they wait in hope for the Glory that Jesus will bring, both to them and to the loved ones who have died.

     The second letter Paul writes is not so comforting. It is corrective. There is trouble and confusion in the new church. Someone was spreading rumors that the Day of the Lord was upon them and that they had somehow missed the return of their Lord. Paul says, “No, the Day of the Lord has not come!” He assures them the Day of the Lord does not come until the “Man of Sin” brings about a great apostasy that will climax with his ultimate opposition to Jesus, when this wicked one proclaims himself as God and takes the seat in God’s Temple. Paul tells them to stay the course and persevere in the midst of confusion and persecution. A tall order!