1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Even though this text is rich in instruction about eschatology, the aim of it is practical. Paul was concerned about the report that some in Thessalonica were grieving as those who had no hope; but such grief was entirely inconsistent with the hope of the believer. To correct this problem Paul expounds crucial elements of the doctrine of the last things in order that the church would live in the strength of Christian comfort.