The Answered Prayer

12 (A)“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

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12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes(A) in me will do the works I have been doing,(B) and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

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Put on Christ

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time (A)to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

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The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come(A) for you to wake up from your slumber,(B) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

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Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, (A)“It is not for you to (B)know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

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Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore(A) the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(B)

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51 Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: (A)We shall not all sleep, (B)but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. (C)For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and (D)this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: (E)“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O(F)[b] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and (G)the strength of sin is the law. 57 (H)But thanks be to God, who gives us (I)the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 (J)Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing (K)that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:51 hidden truth
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:55 NU O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery:(A) We will not all sleep,(B) but we will all be changed(C) 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,(D) the dead(E) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable(F) must clothe itself with the imperishable,(G) and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[a](H)

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”[b](I)

56 The sting of death is sin,(J) and the power of sin is the law.(K) 57 But thanks be to God!(L) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(M)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,(N) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow (A)as others (B)who have no hope. 14 For (C)if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him (D)those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you (E)by the word of the Lord, that (F)we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 16 For (G)the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with (H)the trumpet of God. (I)And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 (J)Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (K)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus (L)we shall always be with the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Died
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Or through Jesus sleep
  3. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Dead

Believers Who Have Died

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed(A) about those who sleep in death,(B) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.(C) 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,(D) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.(E) 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,(F) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.(G) 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,(H) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel(I) and with the trumpet call of God,(J) and the dead in Christ will rise first.(K) 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left(L) will be caught up together with them in the clouds(M) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord(N) forever.

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Paul’s Conduct(A)

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (B)Philippi, as you know, we were (C)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

But as (E)we have been approved by God (F)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (G)not as pleasing men, but God (H)who tests our hearts. For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. (K)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (L)we might have (M)made demands (N)as apostles of Christ. But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (P)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (Q)our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you(A) was not without results.(B) We had previously suffered(C) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,(D) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.(E) For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,(F) nor are we trying to trick you.(G) On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.(H) We are not trying to please people(I) but God, who tests our hearts.(J) You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed(K)—God is our witness.(L) We were not looking for praise from people,(M) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles(N) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.(O) Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,(P) so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God(Q) but our lives as well.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle

13 (A)looking for the blessed (B)hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

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13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing(A) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,(B)

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10 Because you have kept [a]My command to persevere, (A)I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon (B)the whole world, to test those who dwell (C)on the earth.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:10 Lit. the word of My patience

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you(A) from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world(B) to test(C) the inhabitants of the earth.(D)

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Christ on a White Horse

11 (A)Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, (B)a white horse. And He who sat on him was called (C)Faithful and True, and (D)in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 (E)His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. (F)He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 (G)He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called (H)The Word of God. 14 (I)And the armies in heaven, (J)clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now (K)out of His mouth goes a [c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And (L)He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. (M)He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And (N)He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

(O)KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 19:12 M adds names written, and
  2. Revelation 19:14 NU, M pure white linen
  3. Revelation 19:15 M sharp two-edged

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

11 I saw heaven standing open(A) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider(B) is called Faithful and True.(C) With justice he judges and wages war.(D) 12 His eyes are like blazing fire,(E) and on his head are many crowns.(F) He has a name written on him(G) that no one knows but he himself.(H) 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,(I) and his name is the Word of God.(J) 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,(K) white(L) and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword(M) with which to strike down(N) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a](O) He treads the winepress(P) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:(Q)

king of kings and lord of lords.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 19:15 Psalm 2:9

Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, (A)having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of (B)the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and (C)set a seal on him, (D)so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

And I saw (E)thrones, and they sat on them, and (F)judgment was committed to them. Then I saw (G)the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, (H)who had not worshiped the beast (I)or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they (J)lived and (K)reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such (L)the second death has no power, but they shall be (M)priests of God and of Christ, (N)and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 20:4 M the

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,(A) having the key(B) to the Abyss(C) and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,(D) and bound him for a thousand years.(E) He threw him into the Abyss,(F) and locked and sealed(G) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations(H) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

I saw thrones(I) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.(J) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded(K) because of their testimony about Jesus(L) and because of the word of God.(M) They[a] had not worshiped the beast(N) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.(O) They came to life and reigned(P) with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.(Q) Blessed(R) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death(S) has no power over them, but they will be priests(T) of God and of Christ and will reign with him(U) for a thousand years.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who