2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
 
A helpless feeling can often overwhelm faithful Christians and church leaders. There are many obstacles and troublemakers continually pushing against one’s faith and the church’s work. Each church through the ages has experienced this. But who is more powerful than the obstacles and the troublemakers? Of course, it is Holy God. God is just Paul declared to assure the threatened Thessalonica church.
   This must be a constant fact in our minds as we consider the world’s opposition. Paul reminded the church that God’s justice will ultimately separate the ungodly from the righteous. This is one reason we study end-time descriptions. We must steadfastly look through the current troubles against the faithful to see that God’s justice will be done on earth at the time he determines. How tragic to consider unbelievers will have eternal separation from God’s glory! To be shut out from the presence of God means the lost will have an eternal conscience understanding they cannot go to God (Luke 16). People too consumed with their own desires have no idea of the pain and suffering they will eternally know. To the darkened soul self glory becomes eternity’s agony.
   What a contrast to know the true church will marvel at Jesus’ glory. As children of light, we will all share in his glory.
   Think carefully about this. As we consider Jesus’ coming again, do we ever stop to wonder how we will react? Although we have no experience with Jesus’ full display of light, power and holiness, we can begin to understand through the eyes of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, the disciples at Jesus’ Transfiguration, Paul’s conversion and Revelation. Each person who saw the visions of God’s holiness could only respond with complete wonder at God’s matchless wonder. Their own frailty against God’s purity overwhelmed each. Indeed, how marvelous it will be to gaze upon the risen Lord of Hosts, knowing we will be with him forever.
   Do the world’s challenges to the church cause you to wonder, “Is it worth fighting the battle?” You can be sure your answer is, “To God be the glory.”
 

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
 
IF you need some extra encouragement today, dwell for a time on this Scripture. It is the sure hope of your future with Jesus.
   Paul continued to teach the Thessalonian church the knowledge of Jesus is all they need to know regarding his return. He points to the remarkable truth they are children of light. True believers live in the daytime of Jesus’ salvation revelation. Their lives are open without deceit. People can trust the Christian to be who she says she is. The prophet’s words have come true for the world: Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  
   As you know, light is a powerful metaphor of God’s glory throughout Scripture. Jesus often taught the gospel-powered “Light Life” is one of faithful persistent action. Paul, then, makes a point by contrasting the Light Life with those who sleep in the dark. Paul uses “sleep” here to illustrate those who are dead to the light. When he says let us not be like others, who are asleep, he implores the church – that’s you and I today – to be awake in the knowledge of Christ. Unbelief is an eternal sleep in the darkness, asleep to truth’s light. Those who sleep in sin do as they please and will be unprepared for Jesus’ return.
   In contrast, a Light Life is a self-controlled life. It is constant effort to continually put on faith and love as a breastplate. Jesus’ light protects your heart, the center of your faith. The hope of salvation as a helmet is the enduring knowledge God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
   Then Paul uses “sleep” in its basic definition. He preaches Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended is our sure hope. Whether the faithful are awake or asleep in bed when Jesus returns, all of his own will live together with him.
   Enjoy a Light Life. Shine Jesus’ light of eternal life. Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. May your church and your home be a Light House to strengthen your Light Life. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
 
WHAT else is there to say about Jesus’ Second Coming? According to the Lord’s own word, we should have a clear understanding of Jesus’ appearance. We know those who have died in Christ are with Christ. We know they will come with him. We know their dead bodies will resurrect and rise to meet their souls. We also know the Christians who are alive will join Jesus and all in the air.
   How can we know? Paul gives us three reasons: First is Jesus’ death and resurrection. We believe that Jesus died and rose again is Paul’s reminder to the church that their faith is established on Jesus’ death and resurrection. Many then and throughout the centuries have attempted to prove that Jesus did not die. If there is no death, there is no resurrection. To the believer it seems naturally true to say, “Jesus died on a cross.” But this is one common fact often attacked. A second reason Paul can affirm Jesus’ return is to affirm Jesus’ resurrection. “Jesus rose again.” is another truth many have doubted and denied. Because Jesus died and rose, we can know Jesus is in heaven. We can trust, also, that the soul of each person who dies believing this goes to be with Jesus. That leads to the logical end-time prophecy, “So we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
   The third reason Paul is confident in his teaching is that it is according to the Lord’s own word. Remember that Paul spent time in Arabia (Galatians 1:17) learning from the risen Savior. He is an apostle who has had a personal teaching relationship with Jesus. Paul is teaching what Jesus has taught him.
   There are many views of Jesus’ Second Coming. The only view is to examine Jesus’ own teaching of his return. 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.  
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1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
WHAT do you think of Paul urging the Thessalonians twice here to be blameless at the coming of Jesus? Does he have too much expectation of a sinful heart? And it’s true, isn’t it, that we are blameless in God’s sight as we confess, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior.” Paul teaches this in Colossians 1:22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. Six other times Paul and Peter urge us in their letters to live blameless lives, modeling Jesus’ life: He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. (Hebrews 7:26) What are the apostles teaching us?
   In the Greek meaning, “blameless” is “not causing others to stumble.” We are to continually pursue a more loving, personal relationship with God, so we will know what is true and right to do. Yes, we are made blameless through our faith confession. In response to this great gift, we  have a responsibility to live as purely as possible. Yes, we will make mistakes of course. Sin is impossible to leave behind completely. But sin gets farther and farther away from us as we walk closer and closer to God. Live blamelessly for God in your heart, so you will show the world who God is.
   As in all things, Jesus is our “blameless” model. He demonstrates through is life as a man how he continually kept the Father in him and he was in the Father. How did he do so? Jesus listened, prayed, obeyed, submitted, sacrificed, taught, preached and loved. God in the flesh is blameless. Our task is to strive for that same type of blameless relationship to open our love more deeply for the Holy Trinity.
   When a special guest is coming to your house, you may strive to make your home as blameless, as clean and prepared, as possible. You may not achieve perfection, but your visitor will know you have deliberately prepared for his arrival. This enhances your relationship with your guest because he knows you worked to please him.
   As we await Jesus’ coming, our task is to live as our blameless Lord lived.  You will show the world you value your relationship with your Lord. This will bring much glory and praise to God. (Philippians 1:11)

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.  
 
1 & 2 THESSALONIANS are considered the earliest of Paul’s epistles. They also seem to be among his most direct writings to encourage and teach a church to be assured of Jesus’ return. A repeated theme through the two letters is Jesus’ Second Coming and the end of the age. Paul and all Christians then lived, as we do, in the fervent hope Jesus would soon come to judge evil and save the righteous.
   1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 at first glance, though, could be seen as Paul elevating the church and even himself above God. To refer to people as his hope, joy and crown could seem he is replacing the hope and glory of the gospel with hope in people and works. But in truth, Paul is rejoicing of the future reward they will share in Heaven. Paul is as the pastor who is looking forward to being with his church in eternity.
   This passage, then, is a particular expression of Paul's affection for the church. Paul was telling his beloved church the greatest blessing he could possibly receive at the judgment seat of Christ is to be with the Thessalonians!
   They were examples of everything that was of value to Paul. As Paul’s sure hope was in the resurrection, the church was his hope in the sense their growing faith was a sign of the gospel’s growing future. He was as a father who confidently expects his children grow up to maturity in Jesus, so they will produce fruit and reproduce faith. They also were his joy. Paul found delight in remembering how they were before their salvation and who they had become new in Christ. As we watch people grow in Christ, we may often consider how they used to be. Then we see how God has transformed them. We experience a special happiness when we look forward to who they will become by God’s grace.
   When Paul labels them his crown, they themselves were the symbol of God's blessing on Paul’s life and ministry. They were the glory and joy of Paul and of his companions in the gospel labor because they demonstrated the gospel’s power to change lives.
   “Paul said in essence, ‘When life is over and we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming, you Thessalonians will be our source of glory and joy; you mean that much to us.’” (from Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament)  
   It is good, isn’t it, to rejoice in God’s favor? As the church is gathered to Jesus one day, his faithful stewards of the Word will rejoice in Christ’s glory and triumph. This is the winning team celebrating with the head coach. The work is done and it will be time to enjoy the glory of our labors. 

Acts 2:36-42 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
 
WHAT happened when Peter assured the Jews that Jesus is both Lord and Christ? The Jews would have heard it, “Jesus is both Yahweh and Messiah.” What stunning news! Peter had reviewed the evidence. The Spirit had anointed many of the Jews in the crowd to believe. We know this because they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Their grief was deep. To consider they had crucified Yahweh the Messiah would be unthinkable even for the most casual Jew. In a moment many Jews were convicted of their guilt. Each word of the Old Testament Law was made alive and visible before them through Jesus Christ of Nazareth. They knew they were condemned under God’s law. There would be no hope to be saved from God’s wrath. What could they do to be saved from Yahweh’s destruction?
   That’s why they asked the question all convicted sinners ask in one form or another, “What must we do?” That question opened the way for Peter to give the hope of salvation: repent and be baptized.
   This was the prophets’ message. This was John the Baptist’s message. This was Jesus’ message. And now it is the church’s message. All of us have been born into sin, and our guilt  has sent Jesus to be crucified. We all must repent – turn from our sins to point our hearts and minds away from the world, so we can turn to the Savior. We must be baptized in the Holy Spirit’s power, spiritually cleansed with Jesus’ Living Water to be born again into the Kingdom of God.
   Repentance of the heart and outward washing of baptism is God’s way for his people to be saved, forgiven of their sins, so they will become right with God.
   Then the new believers did what the church must always do. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This fourfold response to your salvation is a must-do list for your spiritual life. Study God’s Word through the preaching and teaching of the Bible. Fellowship. Pray. Celebrate Commune. The question, “What must we do?” is God’s faith gift to you, so he will open your soul to hear his answer.   

Acts 2:22-24, 33-35 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
 
PETER’S Pentecost sermon continues with five essential truths about Jesus. First he is Jesus of Nazareth. This fact first identified Jesus because many had the same name. Many, too, would have heard of Jesus of Nazareth as one who was perhaps the Messiah. This, though, did discount Jesus as Messiah because the Messiah was prophesied to come from Bethlehem. Jesus’ Bethlehem birthplace was not generally known. Peter affirmed Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah because he was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
   The second faith factor is Jesus’ crucifixion under God’s authority. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. There have been many attempts throughout history to say the ruling Jews were not responsible for Jesus’ death. Peter says here they were, and so was Rome. The coordinated efforts of evil put Jesus on the cross under God’s plan.
   A third faith factor is Jesus’ resurrection. The triumph over death and evil cannot be stated more deeply. God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Peter affirmed this was true because all the apostles had seen him. This is the testimony of unmovable faith because of one’s personal experience with God.
   The fourth faith truth is Jesus of Nazareth is not only risen, he is exalted to the right hand of God. The man who seemed to be a common carpenter from Nazareth is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. And the fifth faith factor is that Jesus has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
   Peter was expanding the Jews’ understanding of God. Here is the three persons of the Holy Trinity revealing through Jesus that God’s power has come to earth. Peter’s organized, Spirit-inspired sermon is opening the Jews’ minds to the true Messiah. In our next lesson, we will see this was not necessarily good news to many. 

Acts 2:16-21 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
 
THE Holy Spirit has anointed the Twelve at the Festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’ crucifixion. Pentecost is the festival that remembered God giving the law at Sinai. The church remembers Pentecost as the day God delivered his covenant of grace to the world. And it began in Jerusalem, just as the prophets and the King had foretold. Zechariah 14:8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.
   Peter, the outspoken disciple, begins to speak out for the gospel. He does as all good preachers do. He relies on the Bible’s text to inform his congregation. It is as if Peter said, “Open your Scriptures to the prophet Joel 2:28-32, and let’s hear from the LORD God today.” The Preacher pointed to the prophet, so he could point the Jews to the Savior.
   Remember four essential substances of God’s kingdom are plan, power, process and time. God had planned the Kingdom process of salvation. Now it was time to enact it with Heaven’s power. Miracles and wonders will occur. People will be transformed to do God’s work. Some will have visions, some will have Spirit-empowered dreams and many will prophesy – teach – the gospel. Signs in the heavens will one day ultimately announce the Lord’s coming.
   Then comes the joyful promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This is the new covenant spoken in one sentence. There is no complicated process or new ideas we need to develop, so people will go to Heaven. We have only to join with God in his miraculous work to teach, “Jesus saves!” Peter’s words point us to trust God’s sovereign power to do as he has said throughout time. We can complicate  the process and the plan with our own ideas. Let’s be sure we keep in mind our task is Jesus’ Spirit-empowered work until the Day of the Lord comes.     
          

Acts 1:6-11 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven.” 
 
STOP and think for a moment of this remarkable moment in history. Very much occurs in a brief time to prepare the world for the Kingdom of God.
   First, the Son of God has completed his mission on earth. His chosen apostles then meet with him, and they are still unsure of Jesus’ next move. They asked the question, “Are you?” as they wonder if he will now sit on Israel’s throne. Then Jesus reminds them once more his next moves are under the Father’s authority. Jesus replied with a most remarkable promise that the disciples will actually receive the King’s power from the throne of Heaven. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The apostles will have Heaven’s power! This is the same power that has been on Jesus as a man. The Spirit will anoint them for God’s Good News work on earth. And note, especially, their witnessing work will extend to all the nations. As Matthew recorded in the Great Commission, Luke (Acts author) also recorded Jesus’ command to expand the Kingdom globally. The disciples asked a question about an earthly kingdom Jesus answered with the eternal Kingdom plan.
   Then a great miracle unfolded before the apostles. He was taken up before their very eyes. We can never imagine how these men responded. Watching Jesus ascend out of sight into the sky surpasses any known wonder mankind has witnessed. How many questions were in their minds? What did they think would happen? Were they disappointed or even afraid because he had left t hem with such a huge commission?
   Then the remarkable moments extend with another question. Two angels asked, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” This is similar to the angel at the tomb, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) Then the angels gave a clear Kingdom end-time prophecy. “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven.”
   With a few questions and answers, Luke has informed all Jesus’ disciples throughout history what Jesus said, what we must do and what will happen. The Lord’s words and the apostles’ works began a great work throughout the world. It will continue until the day Jesus returns to us as he left us. Be of courage and great hope.