The Thessalonian Letters and the Return of Jesus

Totaling just eight chapters and only 136 verses, Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica are extremely important in our understanding of the promised return of Jesus. This congregation was established by Paul during his second missionary tour as recorded in Acts 17. Many were persuaded by the preaching of the gospel and, according to Luke, a “great multitude” joined Paul and Silas. However, as was often the case on his journeys, there were those who stirred up trouble (Acts 17:5-9). Paul reminded them of the conflict that had occurred during his trip (1 The. 2:3). His second letter to them acknowledged that they were being persecuted while he was writing (2 The. 1:4-9). He also reminded them that they were not alone in their sufferings. The churches in Judea were suffering and Jesus and the prophets also had to endure persecution (1 The. 2:14-16). Persecution is a reality for those who would faithfully follow Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12). What could be more comforting to know than, even though they were suffering, Christ would return and vindicate them? What do these two letters teach us about the return of Jesus?

First, it is good to know that each chapter of the first letter mentions the reality of His return. “And to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 The. 1:10). “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming” (1 The. 2:19). “To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 The. 3:13). Then, from 4:13 all the way through 5:11 is a lengthy and detailed description of what will happen at the “coming of the Lord.” Finally, near the end of the letter, Paul wrote, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus” (1 The. 5:23). So, here are eight things we learn from First Thessalonians…

1. Jesus is coming “from heaven” - 1:10; 4:16.

2. When He comes, He’s coming “with His saints” - 3:13; 4:14.

3. Jesus, because of His resurrection and the guarantee of His return, has “delivered us from the wrath to come” - 1:10; 5:9.

4. The presence of fellow saints is a source of hope and “joy and rejoicing” when Jesus returns - 2:19; 4:13-14.

5. The faithful child of God can be preserved, blameless, saved, sanctified, and holy when Christ returns - 3:13; 5:9, 23.

6. The return of Jesus will be a noisy, yet orderly event - 4:16-17.

7. We will “meet the Lord in the air” and thus (an adverb) “ever be with Him” (4:17).

8. The message of the return of Christ is a source of comfort for the faithful - 4:18.

Now, Second Thessalonians. The letter begins by acknowledging the “perseverance and faith” that they exhibited during “persecutions and tribulations” (1:4). Paul reassured them that God was going to “recompense tribulation” to those who had been troubling the faithful (1:6). The NKJ says God would “repay” with tribulation (affliction) when Jesus will be “revealed from heaven” (1:7). Notice also that verse six says “it is a righteous thing” for God to do so! God does not make mistakes. He will avenge His faithful - and that is not wrong! The opening of the fifth seal reveals that those who had been slain for the word of God were wondering about God’s vengeance (Rev. 6:9-11). They were not rebuked for wondering. In fact, they were reassured that God’s vengeance would come in the future. Here are some things we learn about Jesus’ return in chapter one…

1. Tribulation was coming for the persecutors - v. 6.

2. The faithful were encouraged because rest was coming for them - v. 7.

3. Punishment and eternal destruction is the end of those who trouble God’s children - v. 8-9.

4. When Jesus comes, He will be glorified and admired - v. 10.

Second Thessalonians 2 is further reassurance for the faithful. It seems, based on the first three verses, that there was someone attempting to deceive the church in regard to the “day of the Lord.” Paul wrote, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 The. 2:1-3). False teachers’ spoken words and letters were apparently circulating and some in the church were thinking that the return of Christ was imminent. Then, from verses 3 to 12, Paul disclosed that many events related to what we today call “Church History” would have to transpire before “that day” comes. Paul had already told the church that the “day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 The. 5:2). There are no markers of the return of Christ for judgment on the world (Mk. 13:32-37; 2 Pet. 3:10).

All of this information is pertinent to us today as well. There are many who would have us believe that the return of Christ will be known ahead of time. Those who say such things will misuse Matthew 24 and Jesus’ prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70. Jesus will return. A judgment of “all nations” will occur (Matt. 25:31-46). The faithful are told to “Watch and pray” because we do not know when the Master is coming (Mk. 13:33). The Thessalonians were told to “watch and be sober” (1 The. 5:6). Are you ready?