Paul writes this to offer comfort to these Thessalonian believers. He taught them to expect Jesus’ imminent return. These young Christians were shaken up when violent persecution was on the rise under Emperor Claudius (the 1st Roman emperor to widely persecute Christians) and some were killed. They wondered, did we misunderstand Paul, and are we in the Trib. Paul therefore writes, not only to clarify his teaching about Christ’s return, but also to impress on them an important truth: You need never fear the darkness of death. Find out in this message what enables us to be free of fear in the face of death?