October 21–27
1 and 2 Thessalonians
“Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or Be Troubled”
In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas were accused of having “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Their preaching angered certain leaders among the Jews, and these leaders stirred the people into an uproar (see Acts 17:1–10). As a result, Paul and Silas were advised to leave Thessalonica. Paul worried about the new Thessalonian converts and the persecution they were facing, but he was unable to return to visit them. “When I could no longer forbear,” he wrote, “I sent to know your faith.” In response, Paul’s assistant Timothy, who had been serving in Thessalonica, “brought us good tidings of your faith and charity” (1 Thessalonians 3:5–6). In fact, the Thessalonian Saints were known as examples “to all that believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:7), and news of their faith spread to cities abroad. Imagine Paul’s joy and relief to hear that his work among them “was not in vain” (1 Thessalonians 2:1). But Paul knew that faithfulness in the past is not sufficient for spiritual survival in the future, and he was wary of the influence of false teachers among the Saints (see 2 Thessalonians 2:2–3). His message to them, and to us, is to continue to “perfect that which is lacking in [our] faith” and to “increase more and more” in love (see 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 4:10).
I wanted to share what my sweet ministering sisters did for me for your cheerful giver. It may not seem like much but it meant the world to me. My husband has had some serous health issues this past Summer. I have been preoccupied and overwhelmed at times. My dear Ministering sisters invited all of the sisters they visit to go to lunch, the other 2 couldn’t make it the day they wanted to go but they still went and took me, just me! I felt so much love and genuine concern that they would go anyway when I was the only one.
Hey Melanie thanks for your pursuit of revelation and encouraging us to do the same as we study come follow me. I have had great moments feeling the Spirit as I study along with you.
One note you might want to put out there in quoting Roger Williams and his realization that there was an apostasy and therefore a restoration was needed. His words “The apostasy … hath so far corrupted all that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy till Christ send forth new apostles to plant churches anew” referenced in the come follow me lesson were quoted in a book that was published in the 1870s. However Roger Williams was a preacher, a Protestant that lived in the 1600s who came and helped establish the colony of Rhode Island. Just letting people know that he spoke those words much earlier, not in the 1870s after restoration had begun but over 100 years before…. I have no doubt that men like Roger Williams were being inspired by the Spirit to lay the groundwork for the needed restoration.
I like that so much better! I thought, “How sad that he is thinking this way and the Lord had already done it! Why didn’t the missionaries find Roger Williams?! That makes so much more sense and is better. I’ll fix it in the podcast. Thanks!
I was pondering about this verse:
“then [the second coming] cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thes 5:3)
(In Ukrainian it goes like: it comes as the pain of labour to the pregnant woman).
I had my first child not long ago, and this metaphor really clicked for me: when you’re almost due, you know it’s coming soon, you kind of want it to finally happen. But at the same time you’re terrified 🙂 And even with all humanity’s experience, noone can tell you the exact time of your labour.
So, just like with the labour, the second coming is something you expect – but don’t expect, prepare for – but still feel unprepared, excited about – but also kinda nervous. But, just like my doctor said: “Dont worry, noone returned home from my hospital while still pregnant” 🙂
So, yeah, the second coming is definitely happening, whether we’re prepared or not.
THAT’S GOOD! Where were you when I was preparing that one….