Last time we went through chapters 3 and 4 which included instructions in sanctification. Sanctification is the about living in a manner that pleases God. Paul stated that these commands came from Jesus Christ himself. He touched on three main areas in a Christian’s life – purity, honesty, and charity and he reveals the rapture of the church and it’s order. When Christ appears, the dead in Christ rise first and the living saints are then translated, and we all meet the Lord in the air to never be separated again. We are instructed to comfort one another with this knowledge.

: It was written by the Apostle Paul in 50-51 AD. It’s one of the earliest writings of the New Testament being within 20 years of Christ’s resurrection. Thessalonica is in Greece (called Macedonia in scripture). Paul visited there during his second missionary journey and was the founder of the church there. He had a great love for these people that he expresses in the letter. He wrote the letter to encourage these people because they were suffering afflictions from the people around them, as well as instruct them about the second coming of Christ. Most of his epistles start out doctrinal then move to practical teaching, this letter starts out personal then moves on to practical instructions.