The Transforming Power of the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The Gospel changes a person:

1. Conversion changes our virtues (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5).
2. Conversion changes our resolve (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
3. Conversion changes our priorities (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
4. Conversion changes our master (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

Four reasons 1 Thessalonians 1:10 is a reference to a pretribulation rapture:

1. Waiting for Jesus is related to being rescued from wrath.
2. Paul’s flow of thought in Thessalonians supports identifying “wrath” with the Tribulation.
3. The word ῥύομαι with ἐκ can communicate removal to safety like (2 Corinthians 1:10).
4. The textual variant “ἀπὸ” would further suggest removal to safety.