Living in the light of His coming.
We were greeting one another in the parking lot after meeting when a family pulled in to make a drive-by inquiry about what we believe. I was glad to tell them that we believe the Bible and preach the gospel. I went on to explain the gospel as I sought an opportunity to touch a soul. The wife waved me off and interrupted to ask, “What do you believe about the rapture?” “Oh, I said, it’s the next great event for the Church!” She said they used to believe that, too, but after studying more deeply they no longer believe the church will be raptured. I suggested they go back and read 1 Thessalonians again and not study it quite so deeply (tongue in cheek), but take it for what it says. I encouraged them to come by again soon to talk further.
Isn’t it great that we can read the Bible and take God at His Word? He says what He means and means what He says!
Some may think it unwise to explain the truth of the rapture to new believers, but I’m glad the apostle Paul did not follow their theory. Estimates are that Paul’s visit to Thessalonica was as short as three weeks to two months. In that little window of opportunity, Paul’s message of the glorious gospel caused these idolaters to respond to God’s grace.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul mentions the Lord’s coming five times. You’ll find it at the end of every chapter. Each time His coming is seen in a different setting, reminding me that the Lord’s coming should influence every area of my life. I want to live in light of His coming! It’s the glorious prospect of the church.
Salvation in light of His coming (1 Thes. 1:9-10)
We find that the testimony of the gospel bore much fruit among the people of Thessalonica. It came in power to save and transform their lives. Their testimony became known throughout every place and they became examples to the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Scriptures declare their testimony as how they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven” (1 Thes. 1:9-10).
Notice the order of their response. They turned to God from idols. There was no power to free them from idols without first turning to God. Then they began to serve the living and true God, as opposed to dead idols and false gods! But that’s not all. They were waiting “for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
The appearing of the Lord Jesus, who loved them and gave Himself for them, was foremost in their hearts. They longed to see Him and were saved in light of His coming! There was no longer room for idols in their hearts.
Serving in light of His coming (1 Thes. 2:19-20)
Paul and his companions were an example to these new believers. He reminds them of his and his co-workers’ labor and toil, night and day, so as not to be a burden to them (1 Thes. 2:9). What motivated Paul in his service, and what would motivate them to follow his example? It was the coming of the Lord! In 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Paul writes, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
The Lord Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jn. 9:4). Similarly, if we are going to serve the Lord, we must do so now! There is a reward for labor done for Him. The prospect for the apostle and the Thessalonians is the same for you and me. They served in light of His coming and had no time for kicking back or letting up!
Stability in light of His coming (1 Thes. 3:12-13)
This young work had a good start but needed encouragement. It needed the personal touch of a man of God who had been proven and could be trusted. Paul sent Timothy to establish and encourage them concerning their faith (1 Thes. 3:2).
Notice the importance Paul places on their faith (v. 2): his desire to know their faith (v. 5), the word he had received about their faith (v. 6), the comfort their faith was to him (v. 7), and his desire to supply what was lacking in their faith (v. 10).
Why was it important to show such care for this part of their growth? It was so that their hearts would be blameless in holiness before God the Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 13).
In other words, if we want to be established when He comes, we should be working toward this end now! Are there areas in our lives and local fellowship that need to be strengthened? This model church sought stability in light of His coming, and there was no time for being content with the status quo.
Sorrow in light of His coming (1 Thes. 4:13-18)
Sorrow is a very real experience in life, especially when loved ones go home to be with the Lord. Some of the believers at Thessalonica had tasted this sorrow. Paul writes to comfort them concerning those who sleep in Jesus. Even his expression, “asleep,” gives comfort to hurting hearts. The sorrow caused by the separation of loved ones would be unbearable if not for the hope that we have of the coming reunion day. We sorrow, Paul writes, but not as those who have no hope. Our sorrow is hope-filled; the world’s sorrow is hopeless.
When will this reunion take place? The Bible tells us plainly that “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thes. 4:16-17). Did you notice the way we’ll be caught up? Together! Talk about an ecumenical movement. The church will be taken out of this world and be forever with the Lord. That’s every believer from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Someone has defined the rapture as the ultimate separation of church and state.
They were living in light of His coming and had no time for hopeless despair. We are not looking for a sign. We’re listening for a shout. His voice we’ll hear and His face we’ll know.
Sanctification in light of His coming (1 Thes. 5:23)
As Paul closes his letter to this model church he writes, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely [wholly]; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 5:23).
Their lives had been so affected by the Lord that they were set apart from the world and set apart to God. We, too, are set apart. We long to be wholly His and only His—all our being: spirit, soul, and body. We surely have been made alive in spirit by the Spirit of God who gives life. Our souls have been purchased by Christ’s precious blood. Our bodies are set apart as well, awaiting the transformation that will take place at His coming. What a prospect is ours: the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
With such a blessed hope in view,
We would more holy be,
More like our risen, glorious Lord,
Whose face we soon shall see!