The Thessalonian church was eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus Christ, this is evident throughout the letter. But apparently some of their number had now passed away. Did this mean that they would be forever separated from their loved ones if Jesus were to return to set up His kingdom here on earth? Paul writes this section to them to clear things up.
If wee’re going to live in order to please God we’ve got to take our cues from Him – from the Bible – and not from the culture around us.
The German scholar Rudolf Bultmann left an interesting legacy on the pages of 20th Century theology. He once actually said: “If the bones of the dead Jesus were discovered tomorrow in a Palestinian tomb, all the essentials of Christianity would remain unchanged.” The writers of the gospels would disagree.
Sometimes we feel like David in the Psalms:
“How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”
The believers in Thessalonica were experiencing severe trials and persecution. Paul, who had first preached Christ to them, had to escape quickly from Thessalonica and continue his ministry elsewhere. But God had not abandoned them. They could rely on the Lord in the midst of their trials and troubles.
Central Reflections 