The king named the city after his wife Thessalonike, who was Alexander the Great’s half-sister. The city was an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Macedon until 168 B.C. Chen it became a city of the Roman Republic.
It grew to be a critical trading hub for the Roman Empire by facilitating the exchange of goods between Europe and Asia. Thessalonica eventually became the capital city of the Roman district it was located in.
The city contained an amphitheater where entertainment in the form of gladiatorial shows were held for the local citizens and also a circus was exhibited for the amusement of the citizens, and a circus where games for the public took place.
What if no one had a copy of a New Testament in your congregation nor had even heard of one?
That was a problem in the early Church. When Paul evangelized the Macedonian city of Thessalonica, for example, few if any New Testament writings were available.
When we face questions or problems today, we open our New Testaments; but the young Christians in Thessalonica didn’t yet have this inspired resource.
That’s why Paul wrote to them, and in doing so he contributed one our favorite books of the New Testament.
The Thessalonians were especially confused about the limit of the Lord’s return. When Paul had been among them, he had taught about the Second Coming. But persecution had driven him out of town before he could say all he wanted.
From a subsequent report, Paul learned that the church was confused: Has Christ already returned? Could He return in our lifetime? What about our loved ones who have died believing in Christ? Will we see them again?
In 1 Thessalonians (and again in 2 Thessalonians), Paul addressed those questions and outlined the events connected with the Rapture of the Church.
He exhorts us to persevere with holiness and expectancy as we await His coming. Since we don’t know the precise moment of the Lord’s return, it could be any moment.
As those who belong to Christ, we should watch for His coming; and while waiting, we should live faithfully, righteously, and productively for His glory.
Key Thought:
Christ is coming quickly!
Key Verse:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess 5:23).
Key Action:
Since Christ may come at any moment, we should live productively, faithfully, and expectantly.