THE MODEL CHURCH.
1Th_1:6-10.
The beauty of this Church did not consist of a gorgeous material building, but of a people who are said to be "In God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ" (1Th_1:1). And that they were ensamples to all believers (1Th_1:7). Note their character.
I. They were Saved from Wrath. "They were delivered from the wrath to come" (1Th_1:10) It should never be forgotten that there is "wrath to come" (Rev_6:17) Wrath against all ungodliness. Blessed are they whom "God hath appointed to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5 9). Christ our Refuge. "Flee from the wrath to come."
II. They were Converted to God. "They turned to God from idols" (1Th_1:9). Christ is the propitiation for the sin of the world, but that fact in itself does not save the world; there must needs be a personal turning to God from sin and unbelief. The idols of the unconverted are numerous and varied. To turn to God is to forsake everything that would divide our affections or hinder our whole-hearted trust.
III. They were Receivers of the Word of God. "They received the Word in much affliction" (1Th_1:6) These were troublous times, as we learn from Acts 17; but the antagonism of the worldly-minded did not hinder them from boldly receiving the Word. It is always a sign of a healthy soul or Church, which gladly drinks in the truth as revealed in God’s Word Human philosophies may have their place, but they are the food to build up a model Church. Quickened spirits need the "Word of Life."
IV. They were Devoted to the Service of God. "They turned from idols to serve the living and true God" (1Th_1:9). What a change! Serving the Living God, instead of dead things that only mocked their needs with a silent indifference. "To whom, O Lord, can we go but unto Thee?" Thou art worthy of the service of every power and passion, every thought and feeling of the soul, which Thou hast redeemed by Thy Blood. "Serve the Lord with gladness."
V. They were Looking for the Son of God. They had made up their minds to serve, and "to wait for His Son from Heaven" (1Th_1:10). They believed Christ would come again, as all the early Christians did, and as He Himself had promised This was called "that blessed hope" (Tit_2:13). The prophets of old looked and waited for the Coming of the Messiah long ages before He came; but in the fulness of the time He did come. The Church may have waited long, so long that many have lost the vision and the hope. But in the fulness of the time He will Come as He said (see Joh_14:3; Act_1:11; 1Th_4:16 Rev_1:7).
VI. They were Joyful in the Spirit of God. They had the "joy of the Holy Ghost" (1Th_1:6). With the Word of God in their hearts, and this glorious prospect before their eyes, and the power of the Spirit resting on them, their service was not a burdensome task, but a happy privilege and a growing delight. This was characteristic of the first Church members. "They were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost" (Act_13:52). "How are the mighty fallen?"
VII. They were Examples to Others. "Ye were ensamples to all that believe" (1Th_1:7). This was certainly a prosperous Church, although there is nothing said regarding their financial position, no reference to their "Annual Balance Sheet." But their faith in God was known everywhere (1Th_1:8), and the influence of their missionary enthusiasm, in sounding forth the Word of God, had been felt throughout Macedonia and Greece. They honoured Christ as the Head of the Church, and they were honoured by Him in doing things worthy of His great Name. This is what the Church of Christ should do. This is what every Church true to the Word of God is; and this is what every Christian should be-an encouraging example to others. "Believe, and thou shalt see."
COMFORTING WORDS.
1Th_4:13-18.
There is much food for thought in these verses, closing with this exhortation: "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words" (1Th_4:18). There is comfort here concerning-
I. The Second Advent. "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven" (1Th_4:16) The Lord does not promise to send death, or any other messenger, to take His Bride home. He is coming Himself for her. It is "this same Jesus which was taken up into Heaven, that is coming in like manner as He was seen to go" (Act_1:11); and "they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory" (Mat_24:30). What a comforting hope this is in these "perilous times."
II. Our Departed Friends. We are not to be in ignorance about them, nor to be in sorrow for them, for we believe that Jesus rose again, and that when He comes He will bring them with Him (1Th_4:13-14), for in spirit they are with Him now (2Co_5:8) It is the "dead in Christ" who will rise first (1Th_4:16). This rising means the putting on of the incorruptible body, being changed into His resurrection image. They shall lose nothing by being put to sleep before the Coming of the Lord (1Co_15:52). For we who are alive at the Coming of the Lord shall have no precedence over those who have gone to sleep (1Th_4:15). Comforting words indeed.
III. The Living Saints. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air" (1Th_4:17). We are assured, as God’s people, that all shall not die before He Comes. "We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of His last trump" (1 Cor. 1 51, 52). When all in every age who have been put to sleep in Jesus have been raised and clothed with immortality, and when all the believers who are alive on the earth, when He comes, are changed in a moment and caught up together with them. What a host of ransomed souls. "A multitude whom no man can number" Tell me, will any man say on that day that the Church of God has been a failure? "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." "Comfort one another with these words" (1Th_4:18).
IV. The Place of Reunion. "Caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1Th_4:17). The air is spoken of as the sphere of Satan’s stronghold. He is called "the prince of the power of the air, the spirits that are now at work in the hearts of the sons of disobedience" (Eph_2:2). Does it mean that the transfiguration and reunion of all Christ’s redeemed ones will take place right in the heart of Satan’s territory? What a triumph this would be for "The Lamb that was slain," and for all those who all their lives were warring against the prince of darkness? And what a shameful defeat for the Devil. "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven" (Luk_10:18).
V. Our Final Position. "And so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1Th_4:17). Saved by Him. Made like Him. Then for ever with Him. He has gone to prepare a place for His Church in the coming Kingdom. He will come again and receive it unto "Himself, that where He is, there shall the Bride be also (Joh_14:3). Then the Bridegroom’s prayer will be gloriously answered. "Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that They may behold My glory" (Joh_17:24); and be "for ever with the Lord." Earth’s greatest blessing is to find Him. Heaven’s greatest honour is to be for ever with Him. This honour have all the saints. "Comfort one another with these words."
THE SECOND ADVENT
1Th_4:13-18; 1Th_5:1-6
This is a subject full of vital interest for these latter days. Paul’s teaching here is clear and urgent. In every chapter of this epistle he refers to the Lord’s Coming. In the portion before us he states several facts that might be looked at separately.
I. That the Lord will Come Again. "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven" (1Th_4:16). This is not the coming of death, neither is it the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is the coming of "the Lord Himself." It is as much a personal coming as when David anointed himself and changed his apparel and came into the house of the Lord (2Sa_12:20).
II. That those who Sleep in Jesus will Come with Him (1Th_4:14). All those who have died in the faith have been put to sleep in the grace and presence of Jesus. So when He comes He brings those redeemed spirits with Him, for they are His own peculiar treasure, bought by His own blood, and cannot be separated from Him.
III. That those who are Alive when He comes shall not go Before those who are Asleep (1Th_4:15). Neither time nor circumstances can give any precedence on that day. Those who have died in the Lord shall lose nothing by it; those who remain alive at His coming shall be spared the pain of dying, but shall not have any advantage thereby in the way of pre-eminence before Him (2Co_4:14).
IV. That the Dead in Christ shall Rise First (1Th_4:16). All those who have died trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, having been saved by His grace, shall have a part in this "first" resurrection. It will only be "they that are Christ’s at His coming" (1Co_15:23). Blessed and holy is he that hath part in this first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power. The rest of the dead, who have died in their sins, shall not be raised till one thousand years after (Rev_20:5-6).
V. That all Shall be Caught up Together (1Th_4:17). When Christ comes those Christians who are living on the earth shall be "changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," and together with those who have been raised from the dead will be "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air. They are all one in Christ Jesus. One shepherd, one flock.
VI. That we Shall be for Ever with Him (1Th_4:17). To be for ever with Him, who is the Wisdom and Fullness of God, for whom all things were made, and by whom all things consist, implies more than tongue can tell or finite minds can grasp. They follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Then shall Christ’s own prayer be answered, "With Me where I am" (Joh_17:24). Surely we may comfort one another with these words (1Th_4:18).
VII. That this will be an Awful Day for the Unbelieving. While they are saying "Peace and safety." He shall come as a thief in the night, then "sudden destruction shall come upon them" (1Th_4:1-3). A thief does not give any warning as to the time he will break into the house. He will be careful to choose the most unexpected moment. Sudden and everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord will be the doom of every Christ-rejecter at His coming (2Th_1:9). These are terrible words; their terror lies in the fact that they are true, and that this fulfilment may be at any moment. Are you prepared?
VIII. That the Christian should be Looking for His Coming. All who are Christ’s are the "Children of light," having been saved from the darkness that is in this world through sin. They are "not of the night," sleeping the sleep of indifference or unbelief, but are those who are expected to "watch and be sober" (1Th_4:5-6). It is high time to wake up, for now is your full and final salvation nearer than when ye believed (Rom_13:11).
Autor: James Smith