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In this chapter Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that he had sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica to encourage them, and to learn how they were getting along in the Christian life. He reminds them that his sufferings were not unexpected but were predicted.

Paul states that Timothy had returned with good news about the Thessalonian believers' enduring faith and love. Paul indicates he has comfort and great joy in knowing the believers at Thessalonica were doing well spiritually. He says he is praying around the clock to see them face-to-face and to address any deficiencies in their faith.

The chapter closes with Paul praying that the Lord would make the Thessalonian believers' love overflow to one another and to others, as Paul's love overflowed to the Thessalonians.
Ultimately, God works in both pastors and the broader church family to have this kind of enduring faith and love.

As believers, we have a hope (confident expectation) in how things are going to end. Or even better, how the end of redemptive history is the beginning of an even better story! The Apostle John is writing to real people gathered as real churches (Rev 2-3). They are about to experience a brutal persecution under the reign of the Roman Emperor, Domitian. Revelation is intended to give Christians hope. So how does he encourage believers who are about to suffer? By providing them with a beautiful promise from God of a new heaven, earth, and city of God. A place where "death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Rev 21:4). Everything will be new (21:5a), it is certain (21:6), we will be completely satisfied (21:6b), and we will be God’s sons (21:7).