The letters to the Thessalonians
Introduction
In the introductory article called "Engaged" (see articles) of this new Bible study series on the Rapture, it has been said that many a Christian is not longing for the return of our Lord Jesus, to take us, His bride, Home. It has also been noted that such a thing indicates either a misrepresentation of what the Rapture entails, and/or too little relationship with the Lord Jesus. These studies therefore are written for encouragement and exhortation to explore this wonderful, beautiful and intimate event that is soon to take place between Jesus and His bride! To this end we are going to explore both letters to the Thessalonian church. In comparison to other New Testament letters, these letters offer a great deal of information in terms of content about the Rapture itself, as well as the times and season that surround it.
We know that among Christians of this day and age the subject of the Rapture is controversial in more ways than one.
Firstly, there are Christians who do not believe in the existence of the Rapture because, according to them, the word "Rapture" itself is not found in the Bible.
Secondly, in some churches there is a kind of taboo on the whole subject in the preaching that is done. People prefer not to broach the subject of the Rapture, afraid as they are that it will cause unrest and strife in their congregations.
But even when Christians do address the subject, discussions tend to focus mainly on the question of the timing of the Rapture, questions like: "Can the Lord come back to fetch us at any time?", or "Will the Lord come back for us either before, during, or after the Great Tribulation?” In such discussions the interpretation of scripture concerning the times and seasons in which, among other things, the Rapture takes place, plays a central role.
The letters to the Thessalonians make an important contribution to formulating answers to the questions involved in all these controversies.
1 Thessalonians
Part 1
In the letters to the Thessalonians, that are dated around 50 A.D. and which are the oldest known letters from the hand of Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, the Rapture is not only already referred to, but even revealed. Later on in time additional information about the Rapture occurs in the first letter to the congregation in Corinth:
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1)
The question might be asked why the young church in Thessalonica received so many revelations (round) about the Rapture. Indeed, the answer to this is important for us who also want to receive revelation from our Lord Jesus about the Rapture. We will see that the answer to this question lies in the sort of relationship this church had with Christ.
The first letter to the Thessalonian church tells us that through the preaching of Paul and his associates the congregation had come to faith radically. A jubilant Paul describes in warm terms how that the gospel had come to the congregation not only in word, but also in power, that is to say, in the Holy Spirit and accompanied by signs and wonders.
This is so special because the congregation not only radically accepted the preaching of the gospel, but also immediately had to pay the price for their faith in the form of persecution. The opposition the church experienced came primarily from Jews in their city and caused great suffering. This suffering is dwelled on in greater detail in the second letter. Both epistles relate that, because of their radical surrender to faith in the gospel, this church could both handle the suffering in Christ and have joy in the Spirit! In what way was their faith in Christ expressed?
The first lesson that we as Christians can learn from this letter is a tremendously important lesson. As has already been argued in the article "Engaged," a living relationship with Christ is a prerequisite both for the desire for union with Christ and for its actual fulfillment through participation in the Rapture. We are reminded of Enoch's story in the O.T illustrating this as well. The Bible testifies: "And Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God had taken him up." (3)
Thus understood, the Rapture is not an isolated event that has for its primary goal the escape from suffering on earth. It is, first and foremost, the consummation of a relationship that is ever growing and becoming more intimate, and which in the present is characterized by a separation of The Bridegroom and the bride that is only meant to be temporary!
The second lesson we learn is that radical surrender to Christ means He can and will entrust us with further revelation of His Word. It forms a wonderful illustration of John 15:15: "I no longer call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his lord is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you all that I have heard from my Father."
The first three chapters show that this young congregation excels in two fundamental things, namely in the strength of their faith in Christ and in love for God, the latter evidenced by brotherly love. This is commented upon several times by Paul and his followers; the congregation is praised for it and exhorted to continue in it.(2) Moreover, because of their faith and love, the congregation becomes an example for other congregations in the region of Macedonia. But not only do they provide an example in matters of Godly love and faith, but despite persecution they do not hesitate to continue to spread the Word of God!
And it is this congregation that gets explained in detail where their faith and love in Christ, as well as their suffering for His name, will lead up to: The loving reunion with Christ for all eternity!
The Author and Finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus, longs for the union with His bride as naturally as a bride and groom long for the fullness, that is, the full living out of their marriage covenant. Just read what the Lord Himself has to say about this in John 14:1-3 and in chapter 5 verse 10, of this epistle. This first letter to the Thessalonians shows that Jesus' desire is answered by them with the same longing for their union with Christ; thematically, 1 Thessalonians is largely defined by that expectation of His return. (4)
In part two we will study the description of the Rapture and the events surrounding it, as described from chapter 4:13 through chapter 5:11 of this first letter to the Thessalonians. In 5:11 Paul concludes his revelatory words about the Rapture by describing its dual purpose: "Build up one another with these revelations and comfort one another with them, as you also do.” In Greek this passage is written in the imperative tense, so it consists of a command! How we miss out on those things that build us up and comfort us as Christians if we neglect this blessed hope of the Rapture!
Footnotes
(Everything is quoted from the King James Translation unless otherwise noted)
- 1 Cor. 15:51-53
- 1 Thess.1:3; 3:6,12; 4:9
- Gen. 5:22, 24
- 1 Thess.1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4: 13-17; 5:1-10