Thessalonica –
1.    A strategic choice – commercial and political center - capital of the second district of Macedonia and capital of the whole province
2.    Uniquely situated (at the junction of a major Roman road - to serve as a center to spread the Gospel to the Balkan peninsula
3.    A seaport and link to rich agricultural [...]

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The immediate historical context for 1 & 2 Thessalonians -
1.    Paul begins 2nd missionary journey – Acts 15:30-35
2.    Paul and Barnabas agree to split up over Mark – 15:37-39
3.    Paul takes Silas (Silvanus) with him instead – 15:40
4.    Paul and Silas strengthen the churches in Syria and Cilicia – 15:40
5.    Paul adds Timothy to the [...]

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Historical Context for 1 & 2 Thessalonians –
1.    Emperor Claudius threatened to take measures against Jews  who “stirred up a universal plague throughout the world – 41AD
2.    Public disturbances in Palestine in 44AD when Agrippa died
3.    Claudius expelled Jews from Rome for public disturbances 49AD
4.    Agustus and Tiberius issued decrees forbidding predictions about Ceasar (Acts [...]

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16. I, Jesus have sent…morning star. -
this is a revelation of Jesus Christ. This is the second time we are told this. We can be sure.

17. And the Spirit…without cost. -
the Spirit and all those who have a right relationship with Christ bid a great invitation. All say to the unfaithful “Come.” [...]

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10. And He said to me do not seal up the prophecy of this book -
John was not to shut the book up with its message. He was to leave it open for all to see. So that all could read and learn the message and most importantly heed the message of the book.
[...]

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6. And He said to me. -
John closes his book with final exhortations to the faithful.

These words are faithful and true. -
all the words of the book are God’s words. We can know they are faithful and true. All the words.

and the Lord God…take place. -
SAME as at [...]

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1. And He showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal. -
this begins the third picture in the series of three that is used to describe the reward of the faithful. The first was the tabernacle of God telling us that God will dwell with His people forever. The second [...]

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9. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues came and said to me. -
one of God’s messengers or instruments.

“Come, I will show you the bride the wife of the Lamb.” -
John is told that he will see more of what it is [...]

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1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth -
a brand new earth and heaven. This is not a remodeled heaven and earth. This is a brand new kind of heaven and earth. This is a special one.

for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away -
the [...]

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“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lamp- stands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” The message here is twofold, Christ is in control, he holds the messengers [...]

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11. And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it from whose presence the earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. -
this is most certainly God’s throne. Who else could have such a throne?

12. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before [...]

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7. And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison. -
this is what Satan has in comparison to the 1000 year reign of the faithful.

8. and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth. -
Satan in his little time [...]

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