1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 New Living Translation
“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not
to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or
alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other
and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
The Thessalonian believers were both
concerned with what would happen to those Christians who died prior to Christ’s
Second Coming and exactly when Jesus would return. Paul addresses their
question of the dead in Christ in Chapter 4 verse 17. The dead in Christ
shall rise first at His coming. As far as exactly when He is coming back
for His church, Paul tells them He will come as a thief in the night.
Jesus Himself spoke of the unknown nature of His own return in the gospel
of Matthew (24:36-44), stating that only the Father knows the exact time of His
return.
The Second Coming of Christ is known as “The Blessed Hope” of the church. With Christ’s return in
mind, Paul tells the Thessalonians to continue comforting and edifying one
another, just as they had been doing. To edify(*) is to build up
another’s faith through various means.
It’s important that we practice this today as well. We see
so much backbiting and divisiveness in churches these days. We are called
to encourage and build up the faith of those brothers and sisters around us so
that we will all be ready when Christ does in fact return. Let us focus
on harmony rather than discord, making every effort to be like
Christ and not succumb to our baser nature. Until next time, walk with
the King and be a blessing!
(*) To instruct especially so
as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible;
Tyndale House Publishing.
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