The larboard metropolis of Thessalonica was situated at the cross roads of two major Roman roads. One called the Ignatia Way which leads eastward from Italy and the other leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea. In 315 BC, the Macedonian General Kassander named the metropolis after his married woman, Thessalonike. She was the girl Philip II and half sister to Alexander the Great[ 3 ]. Approximately in 42 BC, after deriving its freedom, Thessalonica became the capitol of Macedonia. Today, the metropolis is called by one of two names: Salonika or Thessaloniki[ 4 ].
During the clip of Paul ‘s visit from Philippi, there would hold been found about 60,000 people in this bustling metropolis. The belief system varied from cults of Isis, Osiris, Serapis, and Cabirus to Jewish temples. In Acts 17:1-9, Paul went to the temple and preached until he was forced to go forth. This information indicates that there were likely a good many Hebrews in the community. Archaeological grounds has been uncovered that will confirm this narrative in the New Testament. An lettering was found in 1962 on a Vardar gate below the paving of a coach station and near a bathing machine. The lettering bears the word “ politarches ” which is merely found in Acts 17:6 and non found in any other Grecian literature. That word was used by Paul ‘s doctor and the author of the Book of Acts, Luke to depict the functionaries of whom Jason was brought earlier by the rabble[ 5 ].
There's a specialist from your university waiting to help you with that essay.
Tell us what you need to have done now!
order now
The enigma cult of Isis-Osiris was one of the most popular cults in the Mediterranean country. Much of the construct of the cult had to make with life, decease and birthrate which were guaranteed by Osiris and Isis. The followings of this cult would hold been intrigued with Paul ‘s Gospel of Christ ‘s decease and Resurrection[ 6 ]. This may hold been the ground why during three hebdomads of really intense ministry, Paul was able to set up a Jewish-Gentile church whose members were largely Gentile.
This church was really close to Paul ‘s bosom and since he did non hold much clip to learn or promote them, he grew concerned for them by the clip he reached Corinth. He sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to promote the trusters to be steadfast in their religion in Jesus Christ. When Timothy returned with a positive advancement study of the church and some inquiries that needed to be answered, Paul wrote the first missive to them. Paul expressed foremost that he was grateful for what the Lord was making in their lives. Next he defended his ministry from false slanders. Then he encourages these trusters to stay faithful despite the teasing from their friends and households to return to the heathen ways[ 7 ].
The inquiries that the fold sent to Paul were refering the destiny of trusters who died prior to the return of Christ. Paul explained to them that they had nil to fear in this country. The undermentioned Bible is known today as the “ Ecstasy poetries ” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17:
13 But we would non hold you nescient, brethren, refering those who are asleep, that you may non sorrow as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose once more, even so, through Jesus, God will convey with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall non predate those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will fall from heaven with a call of bid, with the archangel ‘s call, and with the sound of the cornet of God. And the dead in Christ will lift foremost ; 17 so we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to run into the Lord in the air ; and so we shall ever be with the Lord[ 8 ].
The word “ Ecstasy ” is non found anyplace in the Bible. It is a word came from the Latin word “ rapere ” which means “ to be transported from one topographic point to another ” . The Grecian word for ecstasy is “ harpazo ” which means “ to be seized or snatched up ”[ 9 ]. Using Paul ‘s account of this event, the reader sees that Jesus Himself calls all trusters, dead and alive to run into Him in the clouds and that it will be done in an blink of an eye.
Some bookmans compare Paul ‘s account to Matthew 24: 40-41 where Jesus explains that during this event, two people will be working or standing side by side and one will be taken and the other left[ 10 ]. Other bookmans believe that the “ Ecstasy Poetries ” are in mention to the Day of the Lord intending the Second Coming of Christ when Jesus steps back onto the Earth and is winning over the Antichrist. Other mentions and prognostications environing the Antichrist take topographic point during what is known as the Tribulation Period and the down pouring of God ‘s Wrath. Therefore, it can be concluded that since trusters are non capable to the Lord ‘s wrath, it is logical to presume that Jesus will prehend His Church before that atrocious period Begins[ 11 ].
What Paul was seeking to explicate to them was that no 1 knows when this will go on. Apparently, he told them that “ the twenty-four hours of the Lord will come like a stealer in the dark. ” ( 1Thess5:2b )[ 12 ]. He did non desire them to be uninformed about the approaching event but to be prepared. He told them to watch and pray ever refering this twenty-four hours and to be fearless. Paul explained while being alert, the trusters should stay holy and obedient to the Will of God. He emphasized the pickings of merely one married woman, loving and assisting one ‘s neighbours, and to populate softly among the disbelievers of their country. Paul encourages them to set on “ the aegis of religion and love, and the helmet for the hope of redemption ” ( 1Thess 5:8 )[ 13 ].
Paul ended this missive with a little list of bash ‘s and don’ts for the Thessalonian church. He told them to love and esteem each other particularly the leaders, to rectify those who are idle, and promote the weak trusters. He besides told them non to refund evil with evil but to joy, give thanks and pray ever. He taught them non to impede the Holy Spirit but to prove the spirit and maintain what is the truth and allow travel of what is evil. Last, Paul blessed them and requested supplication for himself and his comrades.
The day of the month of this missive is about 51-52 AD. Very few bookmans or critics question the fact that Paul wrote this missive. It is evident that Paul likely dictated while either Silas or Timothy wrote it as Paul acknowledges them in the beginning of the epistle. Most likely, it was written during his 18 month stay in Corinth. A few months subsequently a 2nd missive was sent out but this one was much different than the first[ 14 ]. In the first epistle the focal point was that Christ is coming for His Church where as in the following missive, the focal point is Christ returning with His Church in judgement on the atheistic evil actors of this universe[ 15 ].
There were three major fortunes that arose that prompted Paul to compose the 2nd epistle. First, the persecution that this church was confronting increased dramatically. Second, there were rumours of bogus letters being passed within the church that gave deceptive instructions sing the ecstasy and the twenty-four hours of the Lord reverse to what Paul had taught them. Third, elaborate instructions were given refering to disciplinary action to be taken in order to rectify those who refuse to work due to these rumours[ 16 ].
First, Paul prayerfully wrote to soothe and promote them in their times of persecution. He spoke about how wondrous their action of witnessing was touching other lives and how it continued to distribute throughout the known universe. He allow them cognize that because of their fidelity, the Lord will honor them copiously. Paul assured them that those who persecuted them would be punished with Jesus ‘ righteous judgement on the Day of the Lord[ 17 ].
Following point Paul addresses is that there were false claims that the Day of the Lord had already come and gone. Paul explains in item that some events must go on prior to the seizing of the church. Paul references that there will be a great falling off from righteousness. This appears to be something that is seen in today ‘s universe. Young people are declining to go to church. There are web sites luring people of all ages to curse the Holy Spirit. New spiritual thoughts tell 1000000s around the universe that there are many ways to God non needfully through Christ. These sermonizers claim that worlds can accomplish god-like position. One illustration is the new instructions of Eckhart Tolle, writer of the book, “ A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life ‘s Purpose ” . The reappraisal of this book claim that the bible and other instructions are misquoted and entice people to reconnect with the God experiencing non God the Person[ 18 ].
Paul continues to explicate that the Restrainer is keeping back the lawless one. Many scriptural bookmans believe the mention to the Restrainer is that He is the Holy Spirit keeping back the lawless 1 who is the Antichrist or Satan. Paul emphasizes that the lawless one must look including his profanation of the Temple. He explains that God will direct a psychotic belief to those who refuse to love the truth and that they will accept the Antichrist as a Jesus. These events must go on before the Day of the Lord arrives. Paul illustrates Jesus ‘ triumph over the Antichrist by saying that Jesus will destruct him “ with the breath of His oral cavity ”[ 19 ]. He encourages them one time once more by stating them their wages awaits them in the presence of the Lord.
Last in this epistle, Paul writes of some concerns within the church that many members have stopped working and are going a load to the fold. Paul learns that due to the false rumours refering the Day of the Lord, many trusters felt that they did non necessitate to go on working if the twenty-four hours is upon us or has already passed. Paul reminds them that he, Silas and Timothy did non trust on their good will to supply for them. He tells them to be impersonators of them and non to be a load to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Then he tells them that if anyone does non adhere to this directive that they should be admonished for their idling. But he does state them to love and demo them the right manner to populate harmonizing to the Will of the Lord. Then Paul ends the missive with a approvals and his ain signature to authenticate the epistle[ 20 ].
In today ‘s universe, many Christians face the some of the same types of persecution as did the Thessalonians. These persecutions can run from day-to-day unfavorable judgment, whippings, imprisonments and even executings. Believers can larn from many of Paul ‘s epistles particularly the 1s sent to the Thessalonians on how to cover with these troubles. No affair how large or little the jobs that are faced, Christians must turn to the Lord for strength and promote each other to be faithful during these times.
As in Paul ‘s twenty-four hours, rumours of Jesus ‘ return have been analyzed and predicted legion times. Some people predicted day of the months such as October 28, 1992. Others claimed that December 31, 1999, the terminal of one millenary and the start of the new one would be the twenty-four hours. Even the Mayan calendar predicts the terminal of the universe as December 21, 2012[ 21 ]. It has been told to trusters repeatedly that no 1 knows when it will go on but still our wonder gets the better of us. The anxiety of hankering to be with Jesus forever consumes some Christians who look for the event to go on in the close hereafter.
As Paul and Jesus told their followings, many things must go on before any of these events take topographic point. This writer feels that many prognostications refering the Ecstasy and the Day of the Lord are blossoming and carry throughing more quickly than of all time before. The twenty-four hours and the hr can non be predicted. However, as Paul instructed the Thessalonians, this author cautiousnesss fellow trusters in Christ to prayerfully watch as unprecedented prophetic events begin to go on during our life-time. Decidedly everyone should travel about their day-to-day activities, love and promote one another. Rejoice and pray without discontinuing! Give thanks for everything, even during times of problem. Test the spirit to be certain it is the truth but do non slake the Holy Spirit when He comes upon you. Be wary of fallacious rumours and warn the gorgers with the Truth of the Word of God. Most decidedly continue to make the doomed for Christ. For cognizing what judgements will take topographic point after Jesus immediately takes His Church out of this universe, there is non one of us who wants to see anyone left buttocks to travel through the Tribulation Period. Therefore, ever be watching, for the Bridegroom! He comes rapidly and the Bride must be prepared!
