The Finished Word

Paul does not provide detailed information about signs and seasons since the Lord will arrive like a thief in the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. Paul continues to discuss the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus Christ in Chapter 5 of First Thessalonians , as he addresses the question of the timing of that day and how it will affect the prepared and the unprepared. Rather than signs and timetables, the Apostle reminds his readers that the Day of the Lord will come like a “ thief in the night .”

The Church of Thessalonica began to serve the Living God and wait eagerly for the arrival of His Son from Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10. The saints of Thessalonica responded to the preaching of the Gospel by turning “ from idols to serve the living and true God .” Their life orientation changed radically because of their new allegiance to Jesus Christ. Rather than a comfortable life in Macedonia, they chose a path that guaranteed opposition, trials, and even persecution.

The Thessalonians received the Gospel of Christ in tribulation yet remained faithful while eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7. In the first chapter of  First Thessalonians , Paul anticipates the Letter’s main subjects - the tribulation of believers, Christian hope, and “ the arrival ” of Jesus, when he will rescue his people from wrath, resurrect the righteous dead, and “ meet ” his assembled saints as he descends from Heaven. On that day, we will “ obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ .”

The arrival of Jesus will be an event of victory and finality. It will include the resurrection, judgment, and the New Creation . The return of Jesus at “ the conclusion of this evil age ” will be an event of complete finality. His “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ (παρουσια) will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the arrival of the New Creation, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment of the unrighteous, the destruction of “ the Man of Lawlessness ,” the gathering of Christ’s elect, and the end of death itself.

A chegada de Jesus será um evento de vitória e finalidade que incluirá a ressurreição, o julgamento e a nova criação . A volta de Jesus “ no fim deste século mau ” será um evento de completa finalidade. Sua “ chegada ” ou ‘ Parousia ’ (παρουσια) será acompanhada por convulsões celestiais e terrestres, a chegada da nova criação, a ressurreição dos mortos, o julgamento dos injustos, a destruição do “ homem de ilegalidade ”, a reunião dos eleitos de Cristo e o fim da própria morte.