In 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20, Paul longs to be with the Thessalonians despite Satan’s best efforts. Their faithfulness is a source of joy before Him at His Parousia, showing that the Church’s gatherings are not mere routines but moments where heaven and earth meet. Our battles are not against people but against spiritual forces, and every act of faithful worship and fellowship is both a taste of God’s kingdom now and a glimpse of its ultimate fulfillment.