When we read 1st Thessalonians, we’re reading the oldest and first book in the New Testament if placed chronically. And it’s an authentic book by the Apostle Paul. There are some books in the New Testament credited to Paul that he didn’t write. New Testament scholars agree the Pastoral Epistles (1st & 2nd Timothy & Titus) were definitely not written by Paul. They were forged in his name to justify preventing women from preaching. Paul was already dead when that epistle was written.
The first followers of Jesus were Jewish who followed the Mosaic Law. The Thessalonians had been pagan gentiles. Thessalonian was some 200 miles north of Athens in Greece. These new believers had formerly embraced the message of Greek and Roman culture. So how would these new believers in Christ adapt to this new faith with only one God? The Thessalonians were used to worshiping many gods. But the Apostle Paul was very good at evangelism. He talked to potential converts at their own level of thought and ideas. The best example of that was Paul’s encounter with the Greek philosophers in Athens as recorded in the book of Acts chapter 17, verses 16-34.
Today the gods around us are not stone idols to worship, but today the idols are sculpted all around with gods of wealth and fame.
The Thessalonians that Paul addressed lived only 20 years since the resurrection of Jesus, but they were getting impatient for Jesus’ return. Some of the Thessalonian believers had already died. Would they be forgotten when Christ returns? To be a Jesus follower then, put you at risk with the Roman Empire. Today most Christians in the United States are part of American culture. Unfortunately, most who claim to be Christian present a very narrow view of what religion is. Paul’s words to the Thessalonaians is how to live now, before the Second Coming of Christ. Paul cautions his readers not be lulled into a false sense of “peace and security”
In the United States with more guns per-capita than any other nation and with the most powerful military in the world, are we really safe? Is there peace? Guns and security checks will not save us. This is why Paul instead advocates that believers put on the armor of God, faithfulness, love and hope.
Are we to look forward to the end of the present world? Bookstores and movie theaters are full of movies about unfair dark societies in the future. The movies “The Book of Eli” and “The Matrix” are two good examples of a couple I liked. As a society we seem to have little hope life will get better. Perhaps those who are privileged enough to feel the present is just fine, should move out of their aristocratic bubble and see how the majority of the world really live. Yes, Elon Musk, I’m talking about people like you. As Paul suggests, many are living in darkness. What might we do differently to live in the Light and be more hopeful about what is to come?
The message from 1st Thessalonians is not meant for condemnation, but for reassurance. This is the point that Reformation leader Martin Luther emphasized. Luther maintained the reason to preach the Second Coming is to assure the people of God they have a place in God’s Kingdom.
In the last two verses, Paul promises the Thessalonians that since Jesus died on their behalf, they will experience existence after death. This whether they’re awake, asleep or even already dead. As members of the Body of Christ eternal life is already guaranteed.
As we prepare for the Advent Season, we celebrate the Coming of the Cosmic Christ the first time. We also look forward to the Second Coming of Christ in whatever form it might be. Both events, one in the past and one in the future are tied together for eternity.
AMEN
