The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, “For the Word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

First Thessalonians was written in approximately A.D. 52. It was the first of the fourteen letters the Apostle Paul wrote that are recorded for us in the New Testament. In most of his letters, Paul admonishes the Church to clean up their act and do only those things that glorify the LORD Jesus Chist. He does that in this letter, too; but it’s interesting to note that he is here commending the Thessalonians for all they have done!

You have witnessed of the Word of the LORD “not only in Macedonia” (which was to Greece’s north), and

Achaia (which was to the west and south of Greece). So extensive was their witness that Paul had nothing to add, except to praise them! Isn’t it great when we see believers today talking to others about the LORD? In fact, the Thessalonian witness was so vast and so inclusive that they even told how they themselves had

turned from idols to serve the Living Christ!!

What could be better? Just one thing: these Thessalonians were waiting on the LORD Jesus to return. They were under pressure to stop witnessing, but they elected to continue, knowing that the LORD Jesus was going to come again, and when He does, He will deliver us “from the wrath to come.” The word ????? is the

Greek word meaning wrath. It is used 14 times in the New Testament. But the words ??? ????? mean “the

wrath,” and refer to the time of Tribulation that will come upon all unbelievers. The Church, meaning “all believers,” will not suffer God’s wrath. Those who are “born again” (born from Above, true believers), will be “caught up to meet the LORD in the air…”; and they will thereafter “always be with the LORD” (1 Thes. 4:17).

Christ is our Hope! He is our Salvation! It’s not sufficient to simply be a member of a church or be baptized or be doing “the best we can.” Jesus said, “You must be born again (literally, “born from Above,” that is, be spiritually born by accepting Him as LORD and Savior of your life. Have you done that? If not, you need to! For if He comes and you are not ready, you won’t be meeting Him or going to Heaven where He is. If, on the other hand, you have trusted Him and know He is your Savior and LORD, are you sharing Him with others? There’s no better time to share Him than this time when we celebrate His birth in Bethlehem. God bless you! Have a Merry CHRISTmas!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”