I Thessalonians 3

Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Concern for Their Faith

I Thessalonians 3:1

¹ Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

I Thessalonians 3:2

² and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

I Thessalonians 3:3

³ that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

I Thessalonians 3:4

⁴ For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

I Thessalonians 3:5

⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Encouraged by Timothy

I Thessalonians 3:6

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

I Thessalonians 3:7

⁷ therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

I Thessalonians 3:8

⁸ For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

I Thessalonians 3:9

⁹ For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

I Thessalonians 3:10

¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Prayer for the Church

I Thessalonians 3:11

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

I Thessalonians 3:12

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

I Thessalonians 3:13

¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

The Coming of Jesus with all His saints is Jesus’ return at the end of a seven year tribulation.

^{Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.}

^{Mark 13:26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.}

^{Jude 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,}

^{Psalm 90:13 Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.}

^{Isaiah 21:12 The watchman said, “The morning comes (the rapture), and also the night (of tribulation). If you will inquire (boil), inquire (boil); Return! Come back!”}

^{Zechariah 1:3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.}

^{Hosea 5:15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”}

^{Zechariah 12:10 Mourning for the Pierced One – “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.}

The Rapture, followed by a seven year tribulation, and ending with the Return of Jesus is after the pattern of the Jewish High Holy Days: 2 days Feast of Trumpets, 7 days of affliction, ending in 1 day of Atonement: See chart below: