II Thessalonians 1:3-4, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure."

While in Athens Paul had sent Timothy to the church at Thessalonica. The news that reached the ears of Paul was that the church believed the 'day of the Lord' was upon them because of the tribulations they were experiencing. Not only this, they had received a letter confirming their fears and believed it had been sent by Paul.

Concerned with all that he heard, Paul penned a second letter to the church of Thessalonica reminding them of what he had taught them concerning 'the day of Christ.' He admonished them in the conclusion of this epistle, "I write the salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle," confirming which letters came directly from him.

II Thessalonians 2:13-14, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Through the words of II Thessalonians we are reminded that while we are in the world we will suffer tribulations and trials. All which are filtered through the hands of God that we may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, because the trying of our faith works patience and when the work of patience is complete we become perfect and entire not lacking anything in faith.

Paul's words to the church of Thessalonica remind us of the glory that awaits all believers in Christ. It reminds us that this mortality shall be swallowed up in the victory of the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. That we may see through a glass dimly but in a moment of time we shall all be changed and this mortality will put on immortality. We will be with the Lord forever.