Two of Paul's epistles were addressed to the congregation
at Thessalonica which bears it's name. These
two letters, or epistles, contain a great amount of information on
how to live the Christian life. Paul, writing by inspiration of God, needed
to instruct and encourage these new Christians further. In the book of
Acts, we find that Paul and Silas were encouraged to leave Thessalonica
under the cover of darkness very quickly. Timothy was able to return and
work with this congregation and bring letters from Paul to them which encouraged
them very much. These very young Christians faced harsh persecution from
their own town's people and needed the encouragement that Paul gave them
in these letters. They were also a source of encouragement for Paul because
of their faithfulness in face of all that they suffered (1 Thessalonians
1:6-10). Paul informed them that
when Christ returns it will be such an event that all people will know
what is happening, that even the dead shall arise from their graves. That
the righteous dead and living will be caught up in the air to meet the
Lord and forever more spend eternity with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).
He also gave warning of the fate of those who are outside of Christ at
His coming (2 Thessalonians 1:4-12). There are two classes which will face
the wrath of God, those who know Him not and those who obey not.
Are you obedient to God?
Christ's Second Coming: Literal or Figurative?
Many scholars down through the ages have debated this question with some saying one thing and some another. Churches, friends and even families have been divided by this question. As you recall, this was the hot topic among denominational believers in 1999, as they looked to the year 2000 as when Jesus would return or as some put it 2012 would be the year. All kinds of signs were given as proof for the different views that each group held, yet in all their talk very little scripture was given. Since the year 2000 has come and gone, and we know that Jesus did not return, why not look at the scriptures for the answer of Jesus Christ's second coming.
In John chapter I4, Jesus tried to prepare His apostles for His going away. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3). So Jesus promised that He was going away and that He would return. We can have full assurance that Jesus will return some day, but we still have not answered the question in our title.
In Acts chapter 1, after Jesus Christ's resurrection
from the dead, He showed Himself to His apostles for many days and in many
ways to prove to them His resurrection. As the time drew near for His departure
from them and return back to the Father, again He encouraged them before
He left. Beginning in verse 9 we find the
answer to our question, "And when he had spoken these things, while
they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two
men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee,
why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him
go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11). Jesus literally went up into heaven and
the inspired scriptures say, "this same Jesus which is taken up from you
into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Jesus' return will be just as literal as His departure was! Couple
this with what Paul said",
in 1 Thessalonians 4 and we find that Jesus, Hhimsel, will return
although no scripture says He will set foot on this earth, because Peter
informs us that this earth will be destroyed (2Peter 3:10)! Are you
ready? Read
second Thessalonians 1:8-9 if you are not sure!