The Coming of the Lord – 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11

Therefore encourage each other…

Christ will come again.  We may not know the date, or exactly what it will look like, or even the timeline of events; but we know that Christ will come again. This is encouraging news. Twice in this passage, Paul tells the Thessalonians to encourage each other with the certain hope of Christ’s return.

We are soon approaching one of my favorite seasons of the Christian calendar–Advent. While Advent helps us to mark the time until the yearly celebration of Christmas, it is primarily a reminder that we are waiting for the Kingdom to come in all of its fullness.  Just as the ancients waited for the first coming of the Messiah, we are earnestly awaiting His second advent.

While we wait, we ought to be alert and watchful, self-controlled and full of faith.  We ought to live lives of holiness and expectation, believing that Christ’s victory over death is the reason for our certain hope of eternal life with Him.  No matter what you might be facing this week… that is encouraging news!