The audio file below this post is part one of a three part series on the Second Coming of Jesus as taught in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. It deals with 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18.  The second coming of Jesus is a well known teaching in 21st century.  It is one of the distinctive things about Evangelical Christianity and virtually every Christian tradition teaches something about it.  Even most unbelievers know that Christians believe that Jesus will return perhaps soon.  And it is widely understood to be an escape from trouble.  Jesus will return and the Christians will depart for Heaven with him just before all hell breaks out on earth.  The Great Tribulation!   The first Christians did not see Jesus return as an escape from trouble.  Rather, they saw it as the culmination of trouble that they assumed they were already in the middle of, a trouble that would turn the page to close this age and open the one to come.  They saw it as the ultimate act of salvation and judgment.  Whenever God saves He also judges and vice-versa.  The Second Coming will be the culmination of His salvation and of His judgment and the realization of His Kingdom on the earth.  It is clear in the New Testament that the early Christians, especially Paul believed that Jesus would return soon, that they would see it.  Paul certainly said that.  He taught that it will be a public event, not a secret coming for the church.  We will be welcoming Jesus into His Kingdom on earth where we will rule and reign with Him.  This is the salvation that Jesus brings with Him at His return.