1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 4/Thursday Bible Study

After Apostle *Paul's forced separation from the Thessalonians, he grows increasingly concerned (worried, troubled, or anxious) about the progress (forward or onward movement toward a destination) of their faith. His great relief upon hearing **Timothy's positive report back to him, prompts him to write this warm letter of commendation (special praise), exhortation (address or communication strongly urging someone to do something), and consolation (comfort). The ***Believers are commended (/kəˈmend/ us. /kəˈmend/ to formally praise someone or something: deserving of praise) for remaining steadfast (firm, unbending) under afflictions (something that causes pain or suffering), exhorted to excel still more in their Christian walk (following Yeshua's example in all things), and consoled concerning their loved ones who have died in Christ. The theme of the Coming of the #Lord recurs throughout this epistle (letter) - and Chapter 4:13 thru 5:11, is one of the fullest New Covenant (New Testament) developments of this crucial Truth.

Paul encourages the Believers of Thessalonica by stressing #Christ to be the Believer's hope of salvation (security) both now … and at His Second Coming. When He returns, He will deliver (1:10), reward (1:19), perfect (3:13), resurrect (4:13 thru 18), & sanctify (5:23) all who trust in Him.

Throughout this letter is an unmistakable emphasis upon steadfastness in the The Lord (3:8) and a continuing growth in faith and love in view of the return of #Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (1:3-10; 2:12-20, 3:10-13, & 4:1 through 5:28). The theme is not only the returning of Christ, but also the life of the Believer in every practical relationship - each aspect of which can be transformed (dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of) and illuminated (to supply or brighten with light; light up. to make lucid or clear; throw light on a subject) by the glorious (having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration) prospect (possibility that something good happening) of His eventual (likelihood that something will happen) return.

The Apostle deftly (in a way that is neatly skillful and quick in movement) moves into a series of exhortations and instructions by encouraging the Thessalonians to continue progressing in their walk with Christ. He reminds them of his previous teaching on sexual and social matters (4:1-12), since these +gentile believer's lack the moral upbringing in the ^Mosaic Law provided in the Jewish community (Hebrews; Israelites - the ancient People Elohim called out of the world (aka; sinful, pagan society) to be His Own People). Now rooted in the Word of God (2:13), the readers must resist the constant pressures of a pagan society.

Paul had taught them about the return of Christ, and they have become distressed over the deaths of some among them. In 4:13-18, Paul comforts them with the assurance that all who die in Christ will be resurrected (revived & raised up) at His parousia (aka; "presence", "coming", "advent").

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1 THESSALONIANS 4

Directions For Growth - (vv. 1 thru 12 )

"Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach that you should abound (a large amount) more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please ##Elohim (1 Corinthians 15:58 & Philippians 1:27); for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.

Joel Chernoff - Jew and Gentile song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhuCUfGyWT4)

For this is the Will of Elohim, your sanctification (the action or process of being freed from sin or purified; making a thing holy): that you should refrain from sexual immorality (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:27, & 1 Corinthians 12-20) - that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel (body) in sanctification and honor (Romans 6:19), not in passion of lust (a strong, powerful desire, whether it's a noun or verb: deeply crave); like the Gentiles who do not know God (Colossians 3:5 & 1 Corinthians 15:34); that no one should take advantage of (shamefully use for one's own benefit) and defraud (cheat; dishonest behavior) his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger (one, who exacts punishment or inflicts harm in return for an injury or wrong) of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

For Elohim did not call us to uncleanliness, but to holiness (Leviticus 11:44).

Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but Elohim, Who, has also given us His ###Ruach HaKo'desh (Luke 10:16 & 1 Corinthians 2:10).

But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that I should write to you; for you yourselves, are taught by Elohim to love one another (Jeremiah 31:33, 34 & Matthew 22:39); and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in ++Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more (1 Thessalonians 3:12); that you also aspire (direct one's hopes or ambitions towards gaining a goal) to lead a quiet (calm, still; out of the limelight) life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you - that you may walk properly toward those who are outside The Faith (aka; Christianity), and that you may lack nothing (Romans 13:13).

Joel Chernoff - 'Love One Another' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_j3D_4wJ-k)

Revelation Concerning The Dead In Christ (Christians who have died)

But I do not want you to be ignorant (lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated), brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest (for fear that) you sorrow (deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved) as others who have no hope (Leviticus 19:28 & Ephesians 2:12).

For if we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, even so Elohim will bring with Him those who sleep in Christ (aka; Christians who have died; 1 Corinthians 15:20 & 23).

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the ^^Coming of the Lord, will by no means precede (to be, go, or come ahead or in front of; to be earlier than) those who are asleep (a polite or gentle way to refer to the physically dead).

For the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a shout - with the voice of an ####Archangel, and with the trumpet of ##God: and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we, who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (aka; The Rapture) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, our Lord (Acts 1:9).

Therefore, comfort one another with these words."

*Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).

The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.

Paul had duel citizenship:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Acts%20of,the%20other%20Latin%20or%20Greek.

**Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.

Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul.

The last word in the New Covenant about this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.

***Believer: someone who has put faith and trust in the redemptive work of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.

#Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.

The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.

##Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

###Ruach HaKo'desh (Hebrew: רוח הקודש, "holy spirit" also transliterated roo-akh-qodesh); spirit, breath, or wind of Elohim. The spirit of prophecy which comes from Elohim: a divine inspiration giving man an insight into the future and into the will of God.

####Archangel = Archangels serve as intermediaries (a link between) between God and humans, one of their main roles is to serve as messengers who deliver God's word to humans. Archangels also have command over lesser angels of God, who serve as the Guardian Angels for humans.

+Gentile: person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term goyim, which means “nations of the world,” that were not Hebrew.

++Macedonia = The northern part of Greece located between the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. The Macedonians were part of the Hellenic race, they dominated the eastern Mediterranean area until Rome came into power.

^Mosaic Law: the Laws, beginning with the Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites through Moses; it includes many rules of religious observances given in the first five books of the Old Covenant (Old Testament).

^^Coming of the Lord = Second Coming; in Christianity, the future return of Christ in glory, when it is understood that He will set up His kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, living and dead.

**1 Thessalonians 3: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2023/12/1-thessalonians-chapter-3thursday-bible.html