“Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians — We Are Not Appointed to Wrath, but to Obtain Salvation”

Chapter 4 of this letter announces the details of our Blessed Hope, the Rapture of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The details given are very important to know and for the Thessalonian believers, some of whom were sorrowing even “as those that have no hope”, this teaching was surely comforting indeed.  Then, in chapter 5, the apostle gets to some really important teachings that provide quite literally a “black and white” contrast between the Kingdom hope and our hope.  The one is a message of the coming judgment with its focus according to Prophecy on Israel and the Jews though the entire world will be involved.  The latter is quite different in so many ways.  Salvation (the Rapture and our heavenly inheritance) and not wrath is appointed for we who live under the rule of God’s abundant grace.  What a contrast. What an encouragement whatever this life brings our way with its many burdens — and blessings.