Paul had barely founded the church at Thessalonica when he was forced to leave because of persecution. He left behind a church composed of babes in Christ. Paul made his way to Corinth; and from there, he wrote his first letter to these infant believers. To spur them on to growth and godliness, he wrote to them primarily of the second coming of Christ. Each of the five chapters in this epistle mentions it. In chapter 1 Paul speaks of a coming day: “Ye turned to God from idols . . . and to wait for his Son from heaven, . . . even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (vv. 9–10). Waiting! The idea is best illustrated in the marriage customs of the Jews in Bible times. First came the betrothal. The prospective bridegroom left his father’s house and came to where the awaiting bride lived. There he negotiated a marriage covenant and paid the purchase price. Once the price was paid, the covenant went into effect. The couple was virtually regarded as man and wife, and the bride was regarded as set apart for her groom. The betrothal was ratified by the bride and groom drinking from a cup of wine. All this Jesus has done for us already. After establishing the marriage covenant, the groom returned home where he remained for a year. During this time, both bride and groom prepared for the coming wedding. At length the day came, and the bridegroom came to take his bride to live with him. The bride expected him but did not know the exact time of his arrival. His coming was announced by a shout. Next, Paul speaks of a coronation day: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (2:19). Paul sees himself at the judgment seat of Christ, overwhelmed with bliss as he sees his beloved converts beaming at him in glory. They are the guarantee of his crown. Then he tells them of a confirmation day: “To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (3:13). The Holy Spirit is already at work in our hearts, seeking to make us more like Jesus. That work will be completed in a flash when Jesus comes. “We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,” John says (1 John 3:2). We shall take our place with all His saints at His coming. That will be the confirmation of the glorious fact that we belong to Him. Up ahead is a consummation day: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, . . . the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up . . . to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16–17). Let us continue the analogy of a Jewish wedding. The arrival of the bride was heralded with a shout. The groom received his bride, and the couple, with their companions, returned to his father’s house. Just so, the Lord receives His church and takes her to glory. By the time the Jewish bride and groom are thus escorted home, the wedding guests are all assembled. The bride, heavily veiled, in the company of the groom, is escorted to the bridal chamber. They retire into seclusion. Once the consummation is announced, the feast begins and lasts for seven days. Likewise we shall arrive home. The Old Testament saints will be gathered to welcome us home. The spiritual union of Christ and His church will be proclaimed. The marriage supper will take place in heaven while the final seven-year period of trouble and tribulation works out its course on earth.