Prepared by A. Gibson 2016
http://whatswrongwiththeworld.net/empty_tomb1.jpg
http://rel.as.ua.edu/images/Greece/greecemap1.jpg
Approx. 2000km
1¼ lengths of N.Z.
http://www.conformingtojesus.com/images/webpages/apostle_paul_second_missionary_journey_map1.jpg
Acts 16: 9 ‘And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia
and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.’
Thermaic Gulf and Mt Olympus
http://www.weather-forecast.com/system/images/14936/original/Thessalonika.jpg?1388867228
‘intersection two Roman roads, from Italy eastward (Ignatia Way) and Danube (River to the
north) to the Aegean. Capital of Roman province of Macedonia (146 BC).
42 BC, after battle at Philippi, Thessalonica made free city.
‘Today the modern city of Thessaloniki is the 2nd most important city of Greece and home
to a million inhabitants.’ Edited quote Ref: http://www.bibleplaces.com/thessalonica
/
‘The city name from wife
of King Cassander ½
sister of Alexander the
Great…
commemorated victory
over Phoenicians with
help of Thessalian
horsemen.’
http://www.greeka.com/macedonia/thessaloniki/thessaloniki-history.htm
Thessaloniki, =
victory of the Thessalians.
Niki = victory
298 A.D. arch of Galerius (Roman emperor)
Inscription ‘politarches’,
word Luke used in reference to ‘rulers of the city’ before
whom Jason was brought by the mob (Acts 17:6).’
Ref: http://www.bib leplaces.com/thessalonica/
2nd journey Paul (Silvanus
and Timothy).
Macedonian vision.
Thessalonica after Philippi
(Acts 17).
Paul preached over several
weeks in city synagogue.
Jewish and (mainly) Greek
assembly, established.
Transformation – from idols
to the ‘serve the living and
true God.’ (1 Thess 1:9).
‘Paul persecuted, fled to Berea,
Thessalonian Jews eventually forced him to
leave there also (Acts 17:13-14).’
Ref: http://www.bibleplaces.com/thessalonica/
News from Timothy
(1 Thess 3:1-7)
Beseech and exhort…
‘how to walk and to please
God’ (1 Thess 4:1-12)
‘possess his vessel in
sanctification and
honour’…
not called to uncleanness
but unto holiness…
brotherly love…
modelled by Paul, Silas &
Timothy …
abound more and more.
Every chapter has reference to the return of Messiah.
1:10 , 2:19 , 3:13 , 4:13-18, 5: 1-2
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (13) But we do not want you to
be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so
that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even
so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in
Jesus. (15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the
Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16)
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (17)
Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore
comfort one another with these words.
Verse 4:13 Sorrow not as others who
have no hope
(Gr: elpis = confident expectation).
Believers still experience sorrow
but it’s not a hopeless sorrow, We have
hope – a confident expectation!
Didn’t want believers at Thessalonica to
be ignorant
(Gr: agneoe = not to know or not understand, to err
through mistake).
To address false teaching, to allay anxiety
and overmuch grief.
We once had no hope but now…
Ephesians 2:12-13
Hopelessness is described in
Luke 16:19-31
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and
God, even our Father which has loved us
and has given us everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace comfort
your hearts and stablish you in every
good word and work.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
https://web.stanford.edu/group/poeticthinking/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sorrow.jpg
Vs 14 If we believe that
Jesus died and rose again
conditional : why is that important?
Why not works? Why not say, ‘If we
give our heart to God?’ We need faith
in the historical fact of the death and
resurrection and what that means for us.
Them also which sleep in Jesus
unique endearing term in scripture.
James 2:26 body without spirit is
dead.
Will God bring with him
Bring from where? 2 Cor 5:8. The
spirits of believers are with the Lord
in Heaven which Jesus will bring with
Him.
Sovereign bringing power and love
of Yehowah…
Brought nation of Israel out of Egypt, brought Judah back from
captivity & will bring the dead of Israel out of their graves and
restore them to the land Ezekiel 37:12-13.
https://tworiversblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/jesustomb.jpg
Word cemetery = Greek eping place, dormitory," from koiman "to put to sleep,"
Bible speaks of Sheol and hades…
He will bring hidden things of darkness
to light 1 Cor 4:5
‘By the word of the
Lord’ –highest authority
(Gr: logos= used
interchangeably with rhema
to mean the spoken and
revealed word of God).
We which are alive and
remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall
not prevent (hinder)
them that are asleep.
Isaiah 40:8
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Creation – let there be… peace be still… God said to Noah… God said to Abraham…
Vs 16-17 Lord himself …descend from heaven, shout (military/bridegroom), voice, trump of
God… The dead ‘in Christ’ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain
Caught up together (Gr: Harpazo= to seize, to carry off by force, to claim for one’s self, to
snatch away) Latin: rapare = English rapture.
Can anyone describe other biblical examples of people being caught up to heaven?
Some examples are Enoch, Elijah, Jesus Himself, Paul, John, the two witnesses in Rev 11.
To meet the Lord in the air (contrast with the apocalypse or revelation of Christ to Earth for
judgment of nations).
https://www.raptureready.com/imagehead/vend-time.jpg
‘Keep you from the hour of temptation’ Revelation 3:10 and John called up into heaven Revelation 4:1-2 (Church not
mentioned in chp 4-18) although Rev 2:22 mentions great tribulation for apostate church.
http://alwaysbeready.com/images/stories/alwaysbeready/Rapture_Bible_Prophecy.jpg
•
•
So shall we ever be with the
Lord (assurance).
What will that be like?
•
When we gather together as
disciples in the Lord’s name he
is in our midst, spiritually
(Matt 18:20). This is but a
shadow of better things to
come.
•
What else is likely to occur
during this meeting with the
Lord in the air?
Judgment seat of Christ
•
•
Romans 14:10
2 Corinthians 5:10
Psalm 16: 8-11
Vs 18
Comfort one another (Gr: parakaleo = to call to one’s side… to console, to comfort,
to strengthen) with these
words
(Gr: logos)
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Illustration of a Jewish wedding
The Father would pick a bride for his son. The son would go to his
father’s house to build a home for his bride.
At an unknown time the groom would return with friends and a
shout and the bride, who would be ready and waiting, would be
taken back to the new house prepared for her.
The groom and bride would be together over a 7 day period
before having a public feast.
All of this speaks to the marriage of Christ and the church!
What practical action might we take as a result of having considered this teaching today?
1. Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?
2. Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.
3. What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
Death is swallowed up in vict’ry,
And the dark things shall be plain.
4. Face to face—oh, blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.
Chorus
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!