Oct. 16, 2021
From Judgment to Encouragement
Jeremiah struggles as he is surprised by the opposition to the word of the Lord. God’s people have a history of breaking God’s covenant, and they turn their attention to God’s messenger when he points out their sin.
But the Lord’s judgment is balanced by His mercy. When His people turn, He will have compassion on them as well as those of the surrounding nations who seek Him (Jeremiah 12:15-16).
Paul urges the Thessalonians to live lives full of holiness and love, which is pleasing to God. He then gives specific instructions about the second coming of Jesus to clear up some confusion in the church. He assures them that Christians who have died ("fallen asleep" in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15) will be resurrected and take part in the second coming.