Jesus is the coming hope in 1 Thessalonians. Every chapter,
every encouragement, and every instruction carries a heartbeat of expectancy.
Paul is not just writing about Jesus in the past tense—He is looking for Jesus
on the horizon. And as he writes to a young church learning how to hold onto
faith in hard times, he anchors them in this: Jesus is coming again.
This letter is full of affection. Paul loves this church. He
pours out thanksgiving, speaks blessings, and offers guidance, all while
pointing them to the One who is returning. What I noticed reading it is
this—Paul never tells them to wait passively. He tells them to live ready. He
tells them to keep walking in love, in holiness, in encouragement, and in hope.
And that hope has a name.
That hope is Jesus.
Jesus, the Returning King
Paul lifts Jesus up as the Returning King in this
letter.
He writes:
“...to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from
the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians
1:10)
That verse sets the tone. These believers were enduring
persecution and pressure, but Paul reminds them—your Savior is not gone. He is
alive. He is coming. And He has not forgotten you.
Jesus is not just coming for judgment. He is coming to
rescue.
To gather.
To restore.
Paul comforts them with the truth that Jesus will not leave
His people to suffer endlessly. There is a future, and it is wrapped in the
glory of Jesus.
Jesus, Our Model for Living
This letter is also practical. Paul connects hope with
holiness. Jesus is not just our destination—He is our example.
We are to live in a way that pleases God because we belong to Jesus.
We are to encourage each other because Jesus is coming back.
We are to respect leaders, live in peace, pray constantly, and rejoice always
because we are people of the light.
Paul does not separate theology from lifestyle. In 1
Thessalonians, who Jesus is shapes how we live. The people who believe
Jesus is coming back should live like it.
Jesus, the Comfort for the Grieving
And then Paul addresses the tender place. The pain of loss.
This church had questions. What happens to those who die before Jesus returns?
And Paul gives us one of the most beautiful, hope-filled passages in Scripture:
“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who
are still alive... will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep… and
so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these
words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18)
Paul does not offer clichés.
He offers Jesus.
Jesus, who died and rose again.
Jesus, who will descend with a shout.
Jesus, who will reunite us forever.
Jesus, who turns graves into glory.
Jesus Is the Coming Hope. Live Like It.
I finished this letter reminded that hope is not a feeling.
Hope is a Person.
Hope is Jesus.
And if I believe He is coming again, I should live with intention, compassion,
and anticipation.
Paul shows us a church that was still learning. Still
growing. Still holding on.
And in the midst of that, he gives them the greatest encouragement of all:
Jesus is coming. And He is worth waiting for.