Instructions for the Lord's Return Unveiled in Thessalonians

By Xlibris US

In First and Second Thessalonians, Paul gives insight into what the future holds, issues vitally important for each one of us, in order to peacefully face todays world. He unveiled in an understandable and comforting manner instructions concerning how the gospel offers hope in the midst of devastating challenges.

Paul writes about events that will occur as we approach the rapture when all believers will be caught up with Jesus Christ in the clouds. The two letters to the Thessalonians discuss the difficult issues of the end times and the antichrist, the man of lawlessness who will lead the great rebellion against God after the rapture of the believers.

First Thessalonians 5:27 recognized the importance of Pauls instructions concerning the Thessalonians mistaken ideas about the Lord coming in the clouds by commanding that this epistle be read to the holy brethren.
First and Second Thessalonians unveils the importance of spiritual growth and understanding future events. Knowing and believing in these truths will result in comfort when we face challenges on this earth and eternal joy in heaven.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499052558

Book preview

Instructions

For the

Lord’s Return

Unveiled

in

Thessalonians

Raymond J. Zeman, D.B.S., Ph.D.

edited by P. A. Roth, B.S.Ed.

Based on the King James Version (KJV)

Copyright © 2014 by Raymond J. Zeman, D.B.S.,Ph.D..

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014912912

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-5254-1

               Softcover        978-1-4990-5253-4

               eBook             978-1-4990-5255-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Rev. date: 12/26/2014

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INTRODUCTION

FIRST THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER ONE

Paul’s Commendation         1 Th.1:01-04

The Thessalonian

Conversion         1 Th.1:05-10

CHAPTER TWO

The Model Servant         1 Th.2:01-07

Remember What

They Have Done         1 Th.2:08-13

The Challenge and

the Reward         1 Th.2:14-20

CHAPTER THREE

Trust God No Matter What         1 Th.3:01-05

Timothy’s Encouraging

Report         1 Th.3:06-13

CHAPTER FOUR

Living to Please God         1 Th.4:01-06

Advice to Live By         1 Th.4:07-12

The Rapture – Part 1         1 Th.4:13-15

The Rapture – Part 2         1 Th.4:16-18

CHAPTER FIVE

Be Alert and Forewarned         1 Th.5:01-07

Paul’s Instructions         1 Th.5:08-17

Final Instructions for

Christian Behavior         1 Th.5:18-28

SECOND THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER ONE

Encouragement

During Suffering   2 Th.1:01-04

Comfort During Trials         2 Th.1:05-12

CHAPTER TWO

The Day of the Lord and

the World Leader         2 Th.2:01-03

The Antichrist - The Man

of Sin         2 Th.2:04-06

The Antichrist and the

Restraining Power         2 Th.2:07-08

The Antichrist and

His Followers   2 Th.2:09-12

The Salvation of

God’s People   2 Th.2:13-17

CHAPTER THREE

Prayer and the Lord’s

Faithfulness         2 Th.3:01-05

The Importance of Work      2 Th.3:06-18

APPENDIX ONE

Background

APPENDIX TWO

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A special thank you to P. A. Roth, a dedicated editor, contributor and proofreader

About The Author

Dr. Raymond J. Zeman received his BSMS degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering. He received his MBA degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Doctor of Biblical Studies and Ph.D. degrees from Bethany Theological Seminary. He has served as a corporate executive and director of numerous companies and as a visiting lecturer at various colleges and universities. In addition, Ray was a pastor of two Massachusetts churches, retired from both, and moved his consulting, Bible teaching, and writing to North Carolina.

An essay written by Ray, entitled The Effects of Spiritual Guidance in the World Today, was entered into the Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 84th Congress, First Edition, Vol. 101; No. 72 dated Tuesday, May 3, 1955, by the representative to Congress, Oliver P. Bolton, sponsor of the bill that added under God to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ray is currently a member of the Advisory Board Case Western Reserve University, School of Engineering, and a Bible teacher in the Davidson, North Carolina area. He is also active in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and is focusing on the preservation of the 1799 John Davidson Aaron Willard clock. He and his wife have three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Ray has published and taught Hope Unveiled in the Book of Revelation and Power and Glory Unveiled in Mark’s Gospel. He plans to publish Christian Faith Unveiled in the Epistle of James and The Deity and Humanity of Christ Unveiled in John’s Letters.

Introduction

The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written in Corinth, fifty miles west of Athens, by the apostle Paul shortly after his departure from Thessalonica in A.D. 51 (Acts 17:10). This was the first of his inspired writings although this epistle is located near the end of the New Testament. Paul visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey and preached in the synagogue, which was his center of operations, on three successive Sabbaths (Acts 17:2) in an intensive campaign to found the Thessalonian church. Since most of the Jews at Thessalonica opposed Paul, this church became primarily a gentile church. After violent persecution broke out, Paul was sent out of town for his personal safety (Acts 17:10).

Timothy came to Thessalonica in A.D. 50, having been sent by Paul from Athens (3:2). Timothy’s good report of the faith and love of the Thessalonians and their tender regard for the apostle prompted Paul to write this letter in which he commends the Thessalonians for their steadfastness, reminds them of truths he has taught them, enlarges on his teaching concerning prophecy, and answers certain questions about the Lord’s return, which Timothy had advised still existed.

Thessalonica was a port city on the Aegean Sea in Macedonia, a Roman colony inhabited by Greeks, Romans and Jews. (Today it is a Turkish commercial town called Saloniki). Thessalonica was the capital of the province of Macedonia with a strong city government. It was located on the east-west Roman military highway, which added to its importance.

This epistle has a fourfold theme: (1) to confirm the young converts in the elementary foundational truths of the gospel already taught to them; (2) to condition the young converts to a life of holy living through personal holiness, a life pleasing to the Lord; (3) to comfort the converts concerning those who had died; and (4) to instruct them regarding the return of Christ.

The theme of the second epistle to the Thessalonians is the day of the Lord when the Lord returns in judgment and sets up His kingdom. That is the period following the rapture, the coming of the Lord for His saints. The second letter was written in Corinth by Paul only months after he had written his first letter to the Thessalonians circa A.D. 51. Paul wrote this letter to instruct the Thessalonian Christians that the rapture, which was discussed in the first letter, was yet to come before the day of the Lord. Apparently, the Thessalonians misunderstood Paul’s teaching in his first letter and thought that they already had entered the Tribulation Period, as they were heavily persecuted, suffering for the sake of the gospel. These Thessalonians thought they had missed the rapture, which disturbed them greatly. In this second letter Paul attempts to quiet fears by assuring them that the rapture was a future event. Certain events must come after the rapture which have not yet happened, such as the antichrist stepping onto the world stage. Since this had not yet occurred, they could be reassured that they were not already living in the Tribulation Period.

The second epistle was written to gentile Christians and is helpful to all Christians, especially new believers, as we all need to understand God’s plan and how we should conduct ourselves as we labor until the Lord returns in the sky to take us from the earth.

_________________

FIRST THESSALONIANS

Chapter One

Paul’s Commendation         1 Th.1:01-04

Now (1) PAUL, AND SILVANUS [Silas], AND TIMOTHEUS [Timothy], UNTO THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS

In this verse church refers to local assemblies made up of believers in Christ. Paul includes Silas and Timothy as coauthors of this letter as both were with Paul when he founded the Thessalonian church (Acts 17). Timothy had also been sent back by Paul to visit them after he himself had been driven out by those Jews who were vehement enemies of the gospel. Silas is first mentioned in the New Testament as one sent by the Jerusalem church with Paul to Antioch and then became Paul’s traveling companion.

(1) WHICH IS IN GOD THE FATHER AND IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST:

Paul is writing to those believers who have an intimate relationship with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The emphatic language signifies that they were a true church. The church is said to be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament the word church does not refer to a building, but to people who believe in God and have committed themselves to Christ as the promised Old Testament Messiah (Acts 17:1-4; 2 Th.1:1).

(1) GRACE BE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, FROM GOD OUR FATHER, AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

This is a formal introduction that Paul uses in all of his epistles. Grace comes first, followed by the peace of God. Both grace and peace come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace sustains us from day to day. Peace comes to those who trust in the loving Father and seek to walk in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now (2) WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS FOR YOU ALL,

Paul and his colleagues in the ministry are truly thankful for the people of Thessalonica because of their eager response to the Word of God. They were a model church.

(2) MAKING MENTION OF YOU IN OUR PRAYERS;

Paul was in constant prayer. He prayed for all the churches that he had founded, a lengthy prayer list. He was an active man, preaching, teaching, establishing churches, and often working as a tentmaker for his daily bread. Yet he had time to remember in prayer not only those he had met, but also those mentioned to him.

Now (3) REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING

The Thessalonians were continuously on their minds.

(3) YOUR WORK OF