THE TRILOGY OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE IN I THESS 1:3 OPENS TO US THE MAJESTIC THEME OF OUR LORD'S RETURN, AND OUR NEED OF PATIENCE

"The work of faith"- is explained in V. 9- as to turn to God from idols- Salvation
"The labor of love"- is explained as to serve the living and true God - service
"The patience of hope"- is to wait for his son from heaven the precious second coming.

Though these epistles contain much of faith and hope- the message of hope it tops.

I. THE THESSALONIANS NEEDED SOME VERY PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN FAITH AND LOVE* (Survey)

A. PAUL CHARGED THEM TO WALK WORTHY OF THE GOD WHO CALLED THEM, I Thess 2:11, 12

• Timotheus was set to establish them 3:2, to perfect their faith 3:10 to increase love 3:12
• They were instructed to control their bodies 4:4, and to walk honestly- 4:11, 12
• They were taught to edify and comfort with a catalog of instructions 5:11- 26
• And they were taught plainly concerning the Lord's coming- the classic- 4:13- 5: 10

B. PAUL HAD TO WRITE AGAIN TO URGE THEM TO BE FAITHFUL, CHRIST HAS NOT YET COME (Survey II Thess)

• He plead with them not to be troubled by false teaching 1:6, 2: 2
• He plead with them to be faithful and not busy bodies "Why work, Jesus is coming" 3:10- 13
• Paul again told them of the mysteries of the Lords coming, and the Anti-Christ 2:1- 12

C. THESE PEOPLE WERE NOT LEFT IGNORANT CONCERNING THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD

• Many people throughout the ages have studied carefully these matters- lost in Dark Ages
• John Darby (1800-1882) revived the teaching, Scofield- 1909 popularized it

II. WE NEED SOME PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD'S COMING

A. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF IMPORTANT PERSONS INVOLVED IN OPENING THIS TEACHING HELPS

• William E. Blackstone "Jesus Is Coming"- New York, 1908- quoted by more leaders since- 
• I. M. Haldeman "The Signs Of The Times"- 1910- discussed increased war, apostasy, "RED"
• W. B. Riley- Feb 1914- Greatest Prophetic Conference Of Century At Moody Bible Institute and from his lectures he wrote a book "the Only Hope Of The Church Or The World."
• H. A. Ironside- "the Midnight Cry" 1928, parable of 10 virgins, repudiated Mussolini - Antichrist.
• Lewis Sperry Chafer- 1919 "Seven Biblical Signs Of The Times"- Jewish, Gentile, Jerusalem, Unveiled Prophecy, Material Earth, Apostasy, and Commercialization
• Walter Scott- of Great Britain "At Hand" 4th Edition 1920- parable of fig tree
• General William K. Harrison in S.S. Times - January 9, 1960- 8 great signs worth noting

B. WHAT ABOUT THE GREAT SIGNS AND STUDIES BY THESE MEN, WHAT CAN WE SEE TODAY?

• A general lawlessness- 2 Tim 3:1- 5, perilous times- earthquakes, famines, wars, sickness
• Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth - II Timothy 3:7
• Social and economic problems of man seem more complex, waiting a "Strong Man" to lead us.
• The harlot Church of Rev 17:1-7, 15-18 demands a unified, corrupt church
• The return of the Jews to Palestine, they are now finally possessors of all , lacking the temple and Prince
• Dan 2,7, ; Rev 13, 17 speaks of a great empire- Rome- NATO? Or common market
• Ezek 38, 39 tells of an invasion of Palestine by Russia and her allies- in tribulation??
• The last wars of the tribulation are so great- that if God did not intervene the world would destroy herself

C. THERE ARE A FEW AREAS THAT NEED MORE STUDIES, PROPHETIC SCHOLARS TO SEARCH

• The great worldwide deception- false teachers claiming to be false Christs!
• The deception by the lawless ones- to lead to open our anarchy I Thess 2:8- 11
• The deception worldwide by actual miracles- Rev 13:14, 19:20

III. WE NEED TO BE READY FOR THE LORDS COMING, EXPECTING, ANTICIPATING, AND READY

A. THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD WILL BE IMMINENT, A COMPLETE SURPRISE

• If you are looking for signs, you are having fun, but wrong- LOOK FOR HIM 1-4:16
• Don't worry about those who are dead, you won't get to heaven ahead of them 4:15
• If you are children of the light, this day should not come as a thief I Thess 5:4,5

B. OUR JOB TODAY IS TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM, SO THAT WE WILL BE READY

• Be watchful, and sober- 5: 6, and valiant in faith, love, and hope 5: 8
• We must be faithful, stand fast, and hold to what the Bible teaches II Thess 2:15

CONCLUSION- ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE LORDS COMING, OR JUST CURIOUS?

If you are curious, this is all just a teasing bit of study for you - have fun
If you are concerned, you will want to be just as close to the Lord as you can for His coming is very soon.

BE FAITHFUL