Study Desk

But about loving the brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you in this letter: for you have the teaching of God that love for one another is right and necessary;

But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.

For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God's power.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping.

Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.

But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.

For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:

For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.

For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;

For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.

In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.

It is right for us to give praise to God at all times for you, brothers, because of the great increase of your faith, and the wealth of your love for one another;

So that we ourselves take pride in you in the churches of God for your untroubled mind and your faith in all the troubles and sorrows which you are going through;

Which is a clear sign of the decision which God in his righteousness has made; to give you a part in his kingdom, for which you have undergone this pain;

For it is an act of righteousness on God's part to give trouble as their reward to those who are troubling you,

For this reason, you are ever in our prayers, that you may seem to our God such as may have a part in his purpose and that by his power he will make all his good purpose, and the work of faith, complete;

And now it is clear to you what is keeping back his revelation till the time comes for him to be seen.