Episode Synopsis:

Paul was forced out of Thessalonica after three short weeks among them.  Paul truly desires to return (he’s writing to the Thessalonians from Corinth) but so far has been prevented from doing so.  Paul attributes this unfortunate circumstance to the activity of Satan and so explains why he sent Timothy instead of coming in person.  Paul boasts in the fact that despite all that has happened, the Thessalonians are standing firm.  Paul reminds them that Christian hope is grounded in the certainly of Christ’s parousia (his second coming), a term which the apostle introduces for the first time in this letter.  Paul then discusses the inevitability that those who follow Jesus will be persecuted and that Jesus himself will ensure that his people persevere to the end.  All of these topics are important and thinking about them properly goes a long way to living a healthy Christian life.  So, there is important content here for us as we work our way through the balance of chapter two and the whole of chapter three in Paul’s first Thessalonian letter.

For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/