Paul was only in Thessaloniki for a short time. A few weeks, and he was run out of the synogogue. A few months, and he was run out of town. Nonetheless, he forged deep and meaningful relationships with the Thessalonians, that are a great encouragement to us today.

Babylon terrified all around, as the global power that put every other nation within her reach into subjection. She may be the most powerful of nations at the time, but she will fare no better than the rest when God's wrath comes to rest on her. Here we are warned not to trust in human strength. It cannot avail in God's sight.

Despite the historic and ethnic tensions between the people of the Nile and the Hebrew people, God's promised redemption is for all! The prophet describes, in denouncing Israel's nearest African neighbors, that even though these nations have been historically at odds, that they will be reconciled in His Savior.

Paul encourages us to make the best use of our time. We do that by investing in the welfare, especially the spiritual welfare, of others. When we as God's people take God at His Word, and try to make the best use of our time, we can't even begin to imagine how we will experience Christ, and be blessed in Him.

After many chapters of judgment and promised forgiveness of His own people Israel, the Lord's attention turns to their nearest neighbors. Even though Israel's neighbors had seen the Lord act mightily to save His people, and heard the words of the prophets, most of these people persisted in idolatry and ungodliness. Despite their persistent unbelief, God offers them hope in the same Savior He has promised His people.

Death and God's judgement will be the great equalizers of all. Earthly success is an illusion that will be shown as counterfeit if those who found it failed to embrace the Lord and His way.

"Living it up," usually means that someone has everything going their way. They are enjoying this life and the best of all that this life has to offer. It is an inherently selfish and superficial mentality. God offers us something so much more in Christ, that we can't imagine it, until He reveals it to us in Christ.

Babylon was but a representative of all oppressing and corrupt human power. When Isaiah prophecies her demise, he warns us all that judgement is coming. The theme of coming judgement resounds loudly through out many of the next 25 chapters of Isaiah, so that we may be warned and ready!