Chew the Bible

https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy greet the church in Thessalonica, giving thanks for their growing faith and love. Paul commends them for their perseverance in the face of persecution and suffering, pointing out that their endurance is evidence of God’s righteous judgment—that they will be considered worthy of His kingdom.

He assures them that God will repay affliction to those who trouble them and bring relief to the faithful when Jesus returns. At Christ’s coming, He will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not know God or obey the gospel, while being glorified among His saints.

Paul ends with a prayer asking God to make them worthy of His calling, to fulfill every good work of faith with power, so that the name of Jesus may be glorified in them, and they in Him, according to God’s grace.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy greet the church in Thessalonica, giving thanks for their growing faith and love. Paul commends them for their perseverance in the face of persecution and suffering, pointing out that their endurance is evidence of God’s righteous judgment—that they will be considered worthy of His kingdom.

He assures them that God will repay affliction to those who trouble them and bring relief to the faithful when Jesus returns. At Christ’s coming, He will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not know God or obey the gospel, while being glorified among His saints.

Paul ends with a prayer asking God to make them worthy of His calling, to fulfill every good work of faith with power, so that the name of Jesus may be glorified in them, and they in Him, according to God’s grace.

King Ahaz of Judah begins his reign at age twenty. Unlike his ancestor David, he follows the sinful practices of the kings of Israel, even burning his son as a sacrifice and worshiping idols.

When Syria and Israel attack Judah, Ahaz seeks help from Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, sending him treasures from the temple and palace as tribute. Assyria defeats Damascus, capturing its people.

While in Damascus, Ahaz sees a pagan altar and orders Uriah the priest to build one like it in Jerusalem. He then replaces the bronze altar of the Lord with this new altar, offering sacrifices on it and relegating the original altar to secondary use. Ahaz also makes changes to the temple furnishings to please the Assyrian king.

The chapter ends by noting that the rest of Ahaz’s deeds are recorded in the chronicles of Judah’s kings. After his death, his son Hezekiah succeeds him.

King Ahaz of Judah begins his reign at age twenty. Unlike his ancestor David, he follows the sinful practices of the kings of Israel, even burning his son as a sacrifice and worshiping idols.

When Syria and Israel attack Judah, Ahaz seeks help from Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, sending him treasures from the temple and palace as tribute. Assyria defeats Damascus, capturing its people.

While in Damascus, Ahaz sees a pagan altar and orders Uriah the priest to build one like it in Jerusalem. He then replaces the bronze altar of the Lord with this new altar, offering sacrifices on it and relegating the original altar to secondary use. Ahaz also makes changes to the temple furnishings to please the Assyrian king.

The chapter ends by noting that the rest of Ahaz’s deeds are recorded in the chronicles of Judah’s kings. After his death, his son Hezekiah succeeds him.

Paul continues his teaching about the return of Christ. He explains that the day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Believers, however, should not be caught off guard because they live in the light and should stay awake, alert, and self-controlled, clothed with faith, love, and hope of salvation. God has destined them not for wrath but for salvation through Jesus, who died so they may live with Him.

Paul then gives practical instructions for Christian living:

• Encourage, help, and build up one another.
• Respect leaders who work hard among them.
• Be patient with everyone, avoid revenge, and always pursue goodness.
• Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
• Do not quench the Spirit, despise prophecies, or accept evil—but test everything and hold onto what is good.

He closes with a prayer that God will sanctify them completely in spirit, soul, and body until Christ’s coming, assuring them that God is faithful to accomplish it. Paul asks for their prayers, urges them to greet one another warmly, and insists that his letter be read to all believers, ending with a blessing of grace.

Paul continues his teaching about the return of Christ. He explains that the day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Believers, however, should not be caught off guard because they live in the light and should stay awake, alert, and self-controlled, clothed with faith, love, and hope of salvation. God has destined them not for wrath but for salvation through Jesus, who died so they may live with Him.

Paul then gives practical instructions for Christian living:

• Encourage, help, and build up one another.

• Respect leaders who work hard among them.

• Be patient with everyone, avoid revenge, and always pursue goodness.

• Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.

• Do not quench the Spirit, despise prophecies, or accept evil—but test everything and hold onto what is good.

He closes with a prayer that God will sanctify them completely in spirit, soul, and body until Christ’s coming, assuring them that God is faithful to accomplish it. Paul asks for their prayers, urges them to greet one another warmly, and insists that his letter be read to all believers, ending with a blessing of grace.

Paul continues his teaching about the return of Christ. He explains that the day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Believers, however, should not be caught off guard because they live in the light and should stay awake, alert, and self-controlled, clothed with faith, love, and hope of salvation. God has destined them not for wrath but for salvation through Jesus, who died so they may live with Him.

Paul then gives practical instructions for Christian living:

• Encourage, help, and build up one another.

• Respect leaders who work hard among them.

• Be patient with everyone, avoid revenge, and always pursue goodness.

• Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.

• Do not quench the Spirit, despise prophecies, or accept evil—but test everything and hold onto what is good.

He closes with a prayer that God will sanctify them completely in spirit, soul, and body until Christ’s coming, assuring them that God is faithful to accomplish it. Paul asks for their prayers, urges them to greet one another warmly, and insists that his letter be read to all believers, ending with a blessing of grace.

• Reign of Azariah (Uzziah) in Judah (vv. 1–7): Azariah became king of Judah and reigned 52 years. He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes but did not remove the high places. The Lord struck him with leprosy, and his son Jotham governed in his place.
• Reigns in Israel (vv. 8–31):
• Reign of Jotham in Judah (vv. 32–38): Jotham, son of Azariah, became king of Judah. He did what was right in God’s eyes but did not remove the high places. He built the Upper Gate of the Lord’s temple. In his days, the Lord began to send Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel against Judah.

In short: 2 Kings 15 records a series of short, violent reigns in Israel leading to instability and Assyrian oppression, while in Judah, Azariah and Jotham reigned long but failed to remove idolatry.

• Vivir para agradar a Dios (vv. 1–8): Pablo exhorta a los creyentes a vivir vidas santas que agraden a Dios, evitando la inmoralidad sexual, controlando sus cuerpos en santidad y honor, y sin perjudicar a otros. Dios los llama a la pureza, y rechazar esta enseñanza es rechazar a Dios mismo, quien da su Espíritu Santo.

• Amor y vida diaria (vv. 9–12): Les felicita por su amor fraternal, pero los anima a seguir creciendo en él. También les aconseja vivir tranquilamente, ocuparse de sus propios asuntos y trabajar con sus manos para ganar respeto y no depender de otros.

• Esperanza en la resurrección (vv. 13–18): Pablo los consuela respecto a los creyentes que han muerto, asegurando que resucitarán cuando Jesús regrese. El Señor descenderá con voz de mando, los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero, y luego los creyentes vivos serán arrebatados junto con ellos para encontrarse con el Señor. Les anima a consolarse mutuamente con esta esperanza.

En resumen: Pablo exhorta a los tesalonicenses a vivir vidas santas y llenas de amor, trabajar con diligencia y encontrar consuelo en la promesa del regreso de Cristo y la resurrección.