Sometimes we pick and choose to read certain sections of scripture, even reading them out of context, while disregarding the rest of the letter. If we take the letter as a whole, we will see thoughts that repeat throughout the letter, emphasizing key points. Those people who do not believe in the harpazo, the rapture, dismiss the portion of Thessalonians that they don’t like and then minimize the subject as if that will erase it. But because it is entrenched in a letter, Paul’s first letter in fact, we can read the entire letter in context to understand the subject. Paul brings up the parousia, the coming of Jesus, four times in this letter. He brings up the wrath three times. Paul also tells us to read this letter to “the holy brethren”. The reality is that the subject of the harpazo is in the old covenant as well as the new covenant and it was not a secret. It became an unpopular subject as people tried to predict dates and times, and then were disappointed when the harpazo did not occur. An entire book series was published that scared adults and children alike, but it also soured people because they expected their departure to coincide with a Gregorian calendar date. Immediately after explaining the harpazo Paul says that we do not need to know the times and the seasons. The Holy Spirit knew the trap that we would fall into. While we would all like to know the exact date, we should be faithful, whether we are wide awake or we are awaiting the harpazo in paradise.
We can see that the church leadership was being persecuted in Thessalonica and Paul writes to encourage them. He reminds them of his persecutions by the same people. Somehow in the Body of Christ a false idea seems to have spread that suggests people who are persecuted have sin in their lives and that is why they are persecuted. While in some cases that may be true, it is not always true. Paul, Silas, and Timothy, were persecuted for presenting the gospel and starting churches. When we are doing what is right for the kingdom of God we are going to be persecuted as they were, by both our own countrymen and by the Jews. Nothing has changed in two thousand years. Paul is also concerned that they handle the testing they are going through. Paul reminds them they are rescued from the wrath but their abusers are not. Paul also mentions an abusive situation in Thessalonica where it seems one male or several male congregants forced themself on others. Paul indicates that several people knew or were aware of the situation, and reminds them that we are all supposed to control our own body in sanctification before Yahweh Elohim. Paul then says that those who reject the logos from Yahweh reject the Elohim.
To broaden our understanding of Thessalonica we should look at a bit of history. Paul’s first letter written to the Thessalonian church was written in 47 AD. Almost twenty years later, in 64 AD Christians started being persecuted by the Romans. There were several times of persecution with a resting interval up until Constantine established religious tolerance for Christians in the Roman Empire, with the Edict of Milan, in 313 AD. Then Theodosius l made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire on February 27th, 380 AD. Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica mandating all subjects follow Nicene Christianity, which then suppressed paganism. The directive was to follow the faith as practiced by the bishops of Rome and Alexandria. The city of Alexandria Egypt, was a primary center of theological development and the home of the Therapeutaes, who by this time were believers in Christ. The Therapeutaes were the first Christian monks as they believed on Yahweh Jesus Messiah in the first century so that by the fourth century their order became high ranking bishops. The apostle Mark founded the church of Alexandria but was martyred there in 68 AD by a pagan mob. Obviously his mission work there was not for nothing. It was the establishment of Christianity.
This look into the importance of Thessalonica is not seen in Paul’s letters as the events shaping societal Christianity happened years later. However the things that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians set our eyes on Jesus because he explains the seizing, the harpazo, the event that affects all Christians, living or dead. This was not a “new”teaching as we might presume, Paul had been sharing this revelation everywhere he went. Paul is simply clarifying the details as there were some people who started to err in their faith. After addressing the sins of some people regarding the way they possess their vessel, Paul explains walking in love among the church brethren.
I Thessalonians 4:9 G4012 And concerning G1161 G3588 G5360 brotherly affection G3756 [2no G5532 3need G2192 1you have] G1125 for me to write G1473 to you; G1473 [3yourselves G1063 1for G1473 2you] G2312 are taught by God G1510.2.5 G1519 G3588 G25 to love G240 one another.
Brotherly affection is the word philadelphia, a fraternal affection, not sexual in nature. We are taught to love one another.
I Thessalonians 4:10 G2532 For also G1063 G4160 you do G1473 this G1519 towards G3956 all G3588 the G80 brethren, G3588 the ones G1722 in G3650 all G3588 G* Macedonia! G3870 But we appeal to G1161 G1473 you, G80 brethren, G4052 to abound G3123 more,
11 G2532 and G5389 to strive earnestly G2270 to be quiet, G2532 and G4238 to do G3588 your own things, G2398 G2532 and G2038 to work G3588 with G2398 [2own G5495 3hands G1473 1your], G2531 as G1473 we exhorted to you; G3853
We are also to abound or exceed in love more. We are also to desire stillness or rest, not simply silence as in not speaking. We should desire to live peacefully, inside and out. We should practice, making it habitual, to be private, and to labor with our hands privately.
I Thessalonians 4:12 G2443 that G4043 you should walk G2156 decently G4314 towards G3588 the ones G1854 outside, G2532 and G3367 no one G5532 [2need G2192 1should have].
We should also walk about decorously, polite and restrained, and decently towards people on the outside. Also, that no one possess need, as in employment.
Paul now makes a shift to correct some incorrect teachings that crept into Thessalonica. Again Paul is not telling everyone in Thessalonica for the first time ever about the harpazo, he is teaching this subject live everywhere he goes. Yet someone made some erroneous statements regarding the dead. Were they thinking that the dead are dead forever? Were they thinking that the dead will not rise when Jesus calls in the clouds? Whatever it was, the people of Thessalonica were fretting.
It always amazes me to hear Christians claim that we all must go through the tribulation. It seems they simply do not read the letters to the Thessalonians. Even if one reads these letters in the King James it still communicates the parousia and the seizing. Especially if we read in context, as Paul starts out explaining that the believers will not go through the wrath, but the ones persecuting the church, the countrymen and the Jews, will go through the wrath. Everyone understood in Paul’s time period that the Day of the Lord would be a terrible event on the earth. We find allusions to the harpazo in the old testament.
Isaiah 26:19 G450 [3shall rise up G3588 1The G3498 2dead], G2532 and G1453 [5shall be raised G3588 1the ones G1722 2in G3588 3the G3419 4sepulchres], G2532 and G2165 [5shall be glad G3588 1the ones G1722 2in G3588 3the G1093 4earth], G3588 for the G1063 G1408.1 dew G3588 G3844 by G1473 you G2386 [2a cure G1473 3to them G1510.2.3 1is]; G3588 but the G1161 G1093 land G3588 of the G765 impious G4098 shall fall.
20 G897.2 Proceed, G2992 O my people! G1473 G1525 Enter G1519 into G3588 G5009 your inner chambers! G1473 G608 Lock G3588 G2374 your door! G1473 G613 Be concealed G3397 a little! G3745 as much as this, G3745 as much as that, G2193 until G302 whenever G3928 [4should go by G3588 1the G3709 2anger G2962 3 of the lord].
21 G2400 For behold G1063 G2962 the lord G575 [3from G3588 4the G39 5holy place G1863 1brings G3588 G3709 2anger] G1909 upon G3588 the G2730 ones dwelling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth; G2532 and G343 [3shall uncover G3588 1the G1093 2earth] G3588 G129 her blood, G1473 G2532 and G3756 shall not G2619 cover up G3588 the G337 ones being done away with G2089 any more.
Paul wasn’t teaching anything new to the region of Macedonia, he simply understood the old covenant and what the prophets had taught. Paul not only went to Pharisee school, he also spent fourteen years in Essene school. The dead will be raised and the people of Yahweh will enter into their inner chambers for a while until the wrath of Yahweh has passed. It might be a reminder to the believing Jews, but it would also be new to the nations that were coming to Yahweh.
Zephaniah 2:1 G4863 Be gathered G2532 and G4887 bound together, G3588 O G1484 [2nation G3588 G521 1uninstructed]!
2 G4253 before G3588 G1096 your becoming G1473 G5613 as G438 a flower G3899 passing G2250 the day; G4314 before G3588 the G1904 coming G1909 upon G1473 you G3709 the wrath G2962 of the lord; G4253 before G3588 the G1904 coming G1909 upon G1473 you G2250 the day G3709 of the wrath G2372 of the rage G2962 of the lord .
3 G2212 Seek G3588 the G2962 lord G3956 all G5011 you humble ones G1093 of the earth! G2917 [2equity G2038 1Work], G2532 and G1343 [2righteousness G2212 1seek], G2532 and G611 answer G1473 them accordingly! G3704 so that G4628.1 you should be sheltered G1722 in G2250 the day G3709 of the wrath G2962 of the lord .
Who are the uninstructed ethnos? All the people who were not of Jacob. The rest of the world did not receive scriptures to learn about Yahweh, it was the job of the Hebrews to teach the world about Yahweh Elohim. Zephaniah says to be righteous so that we would be sheltered in the day of the wrath of Yahweh.
Psalm 27:5 G3754 For G2928 he hides G1473 me G1722 in G4633 his tent; G1473 G1722 in G2250 a day G2556 of my evils G1473 G4628.1 he sheltered G1473 me G1722 in G614 concealment G3588 G4633 of his tent; G1473 G1722 in G4073 a rock G5312 he raised me up high. G1473
“that hide me in tent/tabernacle in day evil me covered me in hidden the tent/tabernacle his in rock raise up me”
David is prophesying that in the day of evil he will be covered and hidden in his tabernacle, he will be raised up in a rock. Who is the rock of offence? Christ. Who is the rock the exodus people drank from? Christ. Who is the stone David prophesied that the builders rejected? Christ. David says he will be raised up in the rock, Christ. David prophesied in Psalm 16 that Yahweh would not leave his soul in hell which Peter quoted in Acts 2.
John had some feisty words for the people.
Luke 3:7 G3004 He said G3767 then G3588 to the G1607 [2coming forth G3793 1multitudes] G907 to be immersed G5259 by G1473 him, G1081 Offspring G2191 of vipers, G5100 who G5263 indicated G1473 to you G5343 to flee G575 from G3588 the G3195 [2about to be G3709 1wrath]?
8 G4160 Do G3767 then G2590 fruits G514 worthy G3588 of the G3341 repentance! G2532 For G3361 you should not G756 begin G3004 to say G1722 among G1438 yourselves, G3962 [2father G2192 1We have] G3588 G* Abraham; G3004 for I say G1063 G1473 to you, G3754 that G1410 God is able G3588 G2316 G1537 from out of G3588 G3037 these stones G3778 G1453 to raise G5043 children G3588 to G* Abraham
John says ‘who instructed you to escape the wrath about to come’ which means that there is a way to escape the wrath of the Lamb. What way is that? Paul will tell us shortly.
Revelation 6:16 G2532 And G3004 they say G3588 to the G3735 mountains G2532 and G3588 to the G4073 rocks, G4098 Fall G1909 upon G1473 us, G2532 and G2928 hide G1473 us G575 from G4383 the face G3588 of the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G575 from G3588 the G3709 anger G3588 of the G721 lamb!
17 G3754 For G2064 is come G3588 the G2250 [2day G3588 G3173 1great] G3588 G3709 of his anger; G1473 G2532 and G5100 who G1410 is able G2476 to stand?
The word translated anger here is “wrath”, orgē. Who is on the earth? People who want to hide from the Father and the Son. They would rather be buried under rocks than see the face of the Elohim. Paul already told the Thessalonian church that they were not appointed to wrath but their abusers are. Paul now explains that he doesn’t want them to be ignorant, he wants them to understand. Again this might be a newer concept to the nations who believe, but it should not be new to the believing Jews.
I Thessalonians 4:13 G3756 [2I do not G2309 3want G1161 1But] G1473 you G50 to be ignorant, G80 brethren, G4012 concerning G3588 the ones G2837 having gone to sleep, G2443 that G3361 you do not G3076 fret G2531 as G2532 even G3588 the G3062 rest, G3588 the ones G3361 not G2192 having G1680 hope.
The idea of people falling asleep is that when one is dead their body looks like they are sleeping. Their spirit and soul leave their body but the body looks to be asleep. Paul tells them not to grieve. Do not grieve the dead in Christ.
I Thessalonians 4:14 G1487 For if G1063 G4100 we believe G3754 that G* Jesus G599 died G2532 and G450 rose up, G3779 so G2532 also G3588 G2316 God G3588 [4the ones G2837 5having gone to sleep G1223 6through G3588 G* 7Jesus G71 1will bring G4862 2with G1473 3him].
“whether for believe/trust that Jesus died and raise up in this manner and the Elohim the deceased on account of the Jesus lead away along with Him”
Do not grieve the dead in Christ. To believe is to trust, pisteuō. If we believe Jesus died and rose up, the Elohim will lead away, agō, those whose body’s look to be asleep through Jesus. Notice the hinge point, if we trust Jesus rose up, anistēmi. This is the way to escape the wrath to come. We believe. We trust. If we do not trust these words, the logos of Yahweh, we are not really believers. We must wholeheartedly trust that what is written for our learning is true. Remember that Romans 10:9 is a concise way to be saved, confession of Jesus as Yahweh, believe/trust in our heart that the Elohim rose him up on the third day, then we are saved.
I Thessalonians 4:15 G3778 For this G1063 G1473 to you G3004 we say G1722 by G3056 word G2962 of the Lord, G3754 that G1473 we, G3588 the ones G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining G1519 at G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 of the G2962 Lord, G3766.2 in no way G5348 should anticipate G3588 the ones G2837 having gone to sleep.
“that thing for to you speak in logos Yahweh that we the alive the left behind/survive into the coming (parousia) the Yahweh no not before hand/precede the deceased”
Paul says this is the logos of Yahweh, the word of the Lord. The logos of Yahweh is revelation, the revealed words of Yahweh. This is why denying the harpazo is a denial of Yahweh’s own logos, his own words. Whoever denies this revelation does not trust in Yahweh’s words. This was a common teaching all over the region of Macedonia, it was not a secret and it was not only revealed here. The oral knowledge and teaching might have been lost, but the written knowledge and teaching was not.
The Christians who are alive, those surviving on the earth at the parousia, the coming of Yahweh, (double negative) no not, precede the deceased. The living in Christ do not rise up before the deceased in Christ.
Paul looks at the living as left behind. It is interesting as he says he would rather be deceased in paradise but remains for the benefit of the church, Philippians 1:21. We tend to look at the deceased as departed from us, but in actuality we are the ones left behind. Would we rather be in paradise or on the earth? Would we rather be among the saints and meet Jesus at the tree in the midst of the paradise of God, or would we rather live with a few saints among the unrighteousness and unholy, under the rule of Satanas? In Paul’s view, the living on earth are the left behind.
I Thessalonians 4:16 G3754 For G1473 [3himself G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G1722 in G2752 a word of command G1722 by G5456 the voice G743 of an archangel, G2532 and G1722 with G4536 a trumpet G2316 of God, G2597 shall descend G575 from G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G3498 dead G1722 in G5547 Christ G450 shall rise up G4412 first.
“that he the Yahweh in order/command in sound/tone archangel and in war-trumpet Elohim step down/descend away from heaven and the dead in Messiah/Christ rise up first”
Jesus won’t be asking nicely when he redeems the saints on the Day of Redemption. He will be commanding with a war trumpet. This is not a meeting on the earth. The archangel will sound, call, or announce, with a war trumpet. Yahweh Elohim will step down or descend away from heaven. Where are the dead in Christ? We live on a ball, how can the dead rise up as that would look like they arise away in all directions. Wherever the dead are they rise first. We might understand it better to remember that the adam had to be blocked from re-entering paradise with flaming swords and yet there is a garden with trees there. The thief who was next to Jesus on the cross is in paradise now. Is it on the earth in a different dimension? Maybe. Paul visited but was not allowed to tell us about it. It is referred to as the third heaven. Wherever the third heaven is, the dead in Christ will rise up first, in order of time, first.
I Thessalonians 4:17 G1899 Thereupon G1473 we G3588 the G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining, G260 together G4862 with G1473 them G726 shall be seized G1722 in G3507 clouds, G1519 for G529 meeting G3588 the G2962 Lord G1519 in G109 the air, G2532 and G3779 thus G3842 at all times G4862 with G2962 the Lord G1510.8.4 we shall be.
“thereafter we the alive the left behind/survivors at the same time along with them seize (harpazō) in cloud into meet/encounter the Yahweh into lower air and in this manner at all times along with Yahweh will be”
Then after we who are still left behind on the earth, the survivors until this Day of Redemption, will be seized in the clouds. This is not a simple invasion, like the ten virgins, an announcement for everyone, it is a seizing. This is being grabbed by the arm and pulled off the earth into the clouds. The seizing is not optional. Yet as we know there will be people trying to enter in when they did not meet the requirement, confession of Jesus as Yahweh and belief the Elohim rose him up on the third day. This seizing is out of our control. We will be taken by force. We will be pulled, plucked, and carried off. The Greek ABP+, the Greek NT BYZ +, and the Greek NT WH +, all use the word αρπαγησομεθα translated “we will be kidnapped”.
Where will we be kidnapped to? The clouds, to encounter Yahweh in the lower air. We need to keep the details straight here. Yahweh Jesus Messiah does not come down on to the earth at this time. He is in the lower air, we will meet him in the air. Later in Revelation 19 Yahweh Jesus Messiah will come on to the earth, but not at this time. The logos of Yahweh then states that in this manner at all times we will be with Yahweh. From this time on we will be with Yahweh Jesus Messiah. We will not be separated from him whether we are dead or alive when he commands us from the clouds and kidnaps us. We will be overjoyed when he kidnaps us.
What then will be the earthly explanation when 2.6 billion people leave the earth? It will be noticeable. For many years there has been preparation to explain the disappearance of two billion people. There’s a “Large Binocular Telescope Near-infrared Spectroscopic Utility with Camera and Integral Field Unit for Extragalactic Research” in Arizona which used to be named LUCIFER but has since been renamed to LUCI. The Vatican also has a telescope named VATT (Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope) in the same area of Mt Graham in Arizona. Many people speculate that if the seizing or kidnapping is not visible it will be manufactured (AI generated) and said to be “seen” with these telescopes. It will be said to be alien abduction. Some also speculate that the story will be that the ones taken will be “reprogrammed” and rejoin the people on earth at a later time. Because humans cannot control the Day of Redemption, there will have to be an excuse as to why there are people left on the earth. This is why we should be teaching this event clearly and concisely at this time. Remember we are waiting on a number, Romans 11.
I Thessalonians 4:18 G5620 So then G3870 comfort G240 one another G1722 by G3588 G3056 these words! G3778
“therefore call near/invite one another in the logos these”
These words are to be an invitation, parakaleō. We will see our loved ones again. Either we will join them in paradise or we will meet up with them in the air on the way to meet Jesus. Satanas cannot control this event, and Drakōn and Satanas cannot stop it either. Invite one another with this logos from Yahweh.
The way Paul describes the Day of Redemption, the harpazo, is exactly the way the Holy convocation is described. Paul is telling us that this will be like the time when Yahweh came to meet the Israelites in the desert. The Jewish believers would know this parallel, but the nations may not have made the connection here.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/05/holy-convocation-month-of-immortalities.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2024/08/angels-celebrating-harpazo-partying.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2025/05/earthly-and-heavenly-foreshadows-holy.html
I Thessalonians 5:1 G4012 But concerning G1161 G3588 the G5550 times G2532 and G3588 the G2540 seasons, G80 brethren, G3756 [2no G5532 3need G2192 1You have G1473 5to you G1125 4to be written],
2 G1473 [3yourselves G1063 1for G199 5exactly G1492 2you 4know] G3754 that G3588 the G2250 day G2962 of the Lord G5613 [3as G2812 4a thief G1722 5in G3571 6 the night G3779 1so G2064 2comes].
We all want to know the times, chronos, and seasons, kairos, and the exact day of the “Day of the Lord”, but we are not given exact hours and dates. No one announces a kidnapping. Instead we should always be ready. In doing so, we receive more rewards for our faithfulness rather than just barely sneaking into the kingdom of God. While it is always tempting to listen to date setters, it is unproductive. We can try and scare people into the kingdom, but in that case would they really believe in their heart, or just confess without trust?
In Matthew 24 the disciples ask Jesus three questions: 1) When will every stone of the temple be thrown down? 2) What is the sign of your parousia, coming? and 3) when is the completion of the age? Jesus responds as they are walking with the warnings of false Christs, false prophets, wars, and their own persecution. However, Jesus tells them to endure until the end and that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached worldwide. Jesus then goes back to the immediate future within the next forty years or so, and explains what happens in Judah. He then says that the parousia, the coming of the Son of Man, will be like lightning. After the tribulation of those days, what days? The days when Jesus appears like lightning. This is the parousia, Jesus’ coming. ‘Immediately after the tribulation of those days’, when is that? The tribulation occurs after the harpazo. Then (then denotes time) the sun and moon will be dark, the heavens shaken, and then shall everyone on earth see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. According to John and Joel the sun and moon will go dark during the tribulation. He then says ‘but of that day and hour’, what day and hour? Is he speaking of his parousia when he comes as lightning or is he speaking of the time when the people on earth see him coming in the clouds, or is he speaking of the time the heaven and earth passes away?
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
The only event that the angels do not know the timing of is the harpazo, the first parousia, when Jesus comes in the clouds. Noah and his family were preparing, while the rest of the world did not care. We are not told that the people left on the earth will see Jesus at that time, but once the harpazo occurs we have a list of what happens next. Once Jesus seizes and kidnaps us off this hostile planet we know how long everything else will take, seven years. Daniel gave us specific numbers. Then Jesus comes with his saints and establishes his millennial kingdom. We also know that after the millennial kingdom comes the white throne judgment, and then a new heavens and new earth. This is like the way we knew the timing of the Messiah being born and coming to earth via a virgin, Mary. The prophets knew when and where, and knew what needed to be fulfilled by Jesus Messiah. We know the timing of a lot of things just not the harpazo. And if the angels do not know when the seizing will take place then no man knows either.
Incidentally, the first three usages of the word parousia are found in Matthew 24. This is significant as again Paul uses parousia four times in his first letter to the Thessalonians and three more times in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Is Paul trying to tell us something?
I Thessalonians 5:3 G3752 For whenever G1063 G3004 they should say, G1515 Peace G2532 and G803 safety, G5119 then G160 sudden G1473 [2sets upon them G2186 G3639 1ruin], G5618 as if G3588 the G5604 pangs G3588 to the one G1722 [2in G1064 3 the womb G2192 1having one]; G2532 and G3766.2 in no way G1628 should they flee from it .
Satanas likes to taunt us with the phrase “peace and safety” as if earthly politicians know the timing of the thief coming to kidnap his own children. People may say “peace and safety” but there will be sudden destruction when Jesus commands from the air with the archangel and the war-trumpet.
I Thessalonians 5:4 G1473 But you, G1161 G80 brethren, G3756 are not G1510.2.5 G1722 in G4655 darkness, G2443 that G3588 the G2250 day G1473 [2you G5613 3as G2812 4a thief G2638 1should overtake].
5 G3956 [3all G1473 1You G5207 4sons G5457 5of light G1510.2.5 2are], G2532 and G5207 sons G2250 of day; G3756 we are not G1510.2.4 G3571 of night G3761 nor G4655 of darkness.
No we are not in darkness, we are sons of light and of the day. We know Yahweh Jesus Messiah is coming for those who confess Him and trust Him.
I Thessalonians 5:6 G686 So G3767 then G3361 we should not G2518 be sleeping G5613 as G2532 also G3588 the G3062 rest; G235 but G1127 we should be vigilant G2532 and G3525 be sober.
7 G3588 For the ones G1063 G2518 sleeping, G3571 [2night G2518 1sleep at]; G2532 and G3588 the ones G3182 being intoxicated, G3571 [2at night G3184 1are intoxicated].
8 G1473 But we G1161 G2250 being of day G1510.6 G3525 should be sober, G1746 putting on G2382 the chest plate G4102 of belief G2532 and G26 love, G2532 and G4030 helmet -- G1680 hope G4991 of deliverance.
Paul says that we should be “wide awake, suited up for battle, vigilant and sober”. Always looking to beat back spiritual darkness, and bringing spiritual light to the world.
I Thessalonians 5:9 G3754 For G3756 [4not G5087 2set G1473 3us G3588 G2316 1God] G1519 for G3709 wrath, G235 but G1519 for G4047 the procurement G4991 of salvation G1223 through G3588 G2962 our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ,
10 G3588 the one G599 having died G5228 for G1473 us; G2443 that G1535 whether G1127 we be vigilant, G1535 or whether G2518 we sleep, G260 together G4862 with G1473 him G2198 we shall live.
This is the third time that Paul mentions the wrath. In context, as this is one letter, he says that the church is not appointed to wrath, but the abusers are, and after explaining being seized off the earth, he says again that the church is not appointed, set, placed, or established, into wrath. Instead we have salvation through Yahweh Jesus Messiah whether we are wide awake or dead.
I Thessalonians 5:11 G1352 Therefore G3870 comfort G240 one another, G2532 and G3618 let [2build up G1520 1one] G3588 the G1520 other one, G2531 as G2532 even G4160 you do!
This is the second time Paul suggests to parakaleō, invite, one another with this logos. Paul goes back to being pastoral.
I Thessalonians 5:12 G2065 And we appeal to G1161 G1473 you, G80 brethren, G1492 to know G3588 the ones G2872 tiring in labor G1722 among G1473 you, G2532 and G4291 being set over G1473 you G1722 in G2962 the Lord, G2532 and G3560 admonishing G1473 you;
13 G2532 and G2233 to esteem G1473 them G5238.1 superabundantly G1722 in G26 love G1223 on account of G3588 G2041 their work. G1473 G1514 Make peace G1722 among G1438 yourselves!
Remember the people who work hard in the church. Remember to go before them superabundantly in love. Be peaceful in yourselves, just like being at rest.
I Thessalonians 5:14 G3870 And we appeal to G1161 G1473 you, G80 brethren, G3560 admonish G3588 the ones G813 in disorder! G3888 Console G3588 the ones G3642 being faint-hearted! G472 Hold to G3588 the G772 weak! G3114 Be long-suffering G4314 to G3956 all!
15 G3708 See that G3361 not G5100 anyone G2556 [3hurt G473 4for G2556 5hurt G5100 2anyone G591 1should recompense]! G235 but G3842 at all times G3588 G18 [2good G1377 1pursue] G2532 both G1519 towards G240 one another G2532 and G1519 towards G3956 all!
Paul tends to the housekeeping of the church and tells them not to repay hurt with hurt. It is good advice. Many people feel justified to hurt the ones hurting them, but instead we should pursue good towards everyone.
I Thessalonians 5:16 G3842 At all times G5463 rejoice!
17 G89 Continually G4336 pray!
18 G1722 In G3956 everything G2168 give thanks! G3778 for this G1063 G2307 is the will G2316 of God G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G1519 for G1473 you.
Rejoice, pray, give thanks.
I Thessalonians 5:19 G3588 [3the G4151 4spirit G3361 1Do not G4570 2extinguish]!
20 G4394 [3prophecies G3361 1Do not G1848 2treat] with contempt!
21 G3956 [2all things G1381 1Prove]! G3588 [2the G2570 3good G2722 1Hold to]!
Do not extinguish, quench, suppress, or stifle, the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Do not extinguish the Holy Spirit. If we suppress the Holy Spirit then we will not move in the gifts of the Spirit. Do not despise, ignore, or reject, prophecy. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. People who throw out the verses on the harpazo in chapter 4 are despising, ignoring, and rejecting, the logos of Yahweh, the god-breathed word, and the prophecy men received as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Prove or examine all. Hold fast to good. The event of the kidnapping is spoken of in many places with many names or references like the above congregation, the rising up and away, the holy convocation. Examine it all.
I Thessalonians 5:22 G575 [2from G3956 3every G1491 4appearance G4190 5of evil G566 1Be at a distance]!
23 G1473 And he, G1161 G3588 the G2316 God G3588 G1515 of peace, G37 may he sanctify G1473 you G3651 perfectly complete; G2532 and G3648 may your entire G1473 G3588 G4151 spirit, G2532 and G3588 G5590 soul, G2532 and G3588 G4983 body, G274 [2blamelessly G1722 3in G3588 4the G3952 5arrival G3588 G2962 6of our Lord G1473 G* 7Jesus G5547 8Christ G5083 1be kept].
Be far from every visible form of evil. Then the Elohim of peace will set us apart as holy, absolutely perfect, holotelēs, completely complete to the end. Paul prays that we be complete in every part of our spirit, soul, and body, and be guarded faultless in the parousia, coming of Yahweh Jesus Messiah. This is the fourth time in this letter Paul mentions the parousia, as if it is a big deal. It is.
I Thessalonians 5:24 G4103 [4 is trustworthy G3588 1The one G2564 2calling G1473 3you], G3739 who G2532 also G4160 will act.
The one inviting or summoning us is trustworthy, faithful, who also tarries or continues. The word poieō is awkwardly translated here. Vines and Trenches suggests “continues” or “tarries”. The one who invites us in, is trustworthy and continues to be trustworthy.
I Thessalonians 5:25 G80 Brethren, G4336 pray G4012 for G1473 us!
26 G782 Greet G3588 [2the G80 3brethren G3956 1all] G1722 with G5370 [2kiss G39 1a holy]!
27 G3726 I adjure you G1473 G3588 by the G2962 Lord, G314 [3to be read G3588 1for the G1992 2letter] G3956 to all G3588 the G39 holy G80 brethren.
28 G3588 The G5484 favor G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ G3326 be with G1473 you. G281 Amen.
Paul’s letter is an invitation and is comfort from fear, read it. Read it often. Read it in any version or any translation. Read it to all the holy brethren. Then read it again and again. Meditate on this letter and the Holy Spirit will open your understanding.
We now see a broader view of this letter. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are all persecuted for the good news. He is glad that they continue to endure and reminds them that they are not appointed to wrath. This is the message for our generation. If we want to escape the wrath what do we have to do? Confess Jesus as Lord and believe or trust in our heart that the Elohim rose him up on the third day. The people persecuting the Christians are, however, appointed to wrath. They will die and go to hades, or those alive at the end of the age will live through the wrath of the Lamb. They would rather be buried by rocks than see the face of the Father and Jesus the Lamb. Paul corrects some bad sexual behavior in the church and sends Timothy to check on them. Paul is happy that they are doing well despite the sexual deviants. He reminds them to walk in love toward one another and then tells them not to grieve the dead. He reminds them of the parousia, the coming or arrival of Jesus Christ. He wants them to be reminded of his teachings that Jesus will descend from the upper heavens and at his command, a war trumpet will sound, and the voice of the archangel will be heard, and the dead in Christ will rise up first, and the Christians left behind on the earth will join the dead in the air. The believing Jews should remember that this is similar to what took place in the wilderness when the Elohim came down to meet with the Israelites. The people of the nations who heard Paul teach this now have a letter to refer to as this is still new to them. This is a holy seizing. A sanctified kidnapping away from Satanas, the god of this world, who holds us captive against our will. This is the Day of Redemption. We are to invite one another with this logos. Immediately Paul says that we don’t have any need to know the times and seasons, he expects us to always be ready. Paul then again reminds them that they are not appointed to wrath and no matter whether we are wide awake or dead we have salvation through Yahweh Jesus Messiah. Again Paul tells us to invite one another with this logos. In turning back to pastoral guidance Paul tells them not to quench or suppress the Holy Spirit and to not despise prophecy. We are to prove and examine all things. He tells us that Yahweh Jesus Messiah, who invites us, is trustworthy and will continue to be trustworthy. Paul wraps up with reminding them to read and re-read this letter. This is the logos of Yahweh.
