168 Tribulation, endurance, and hope in 2 Thess 1

In the Fourth Sunday before Advent in Year C, we are starting a short series reading through 2 Thessalonians, and this week's reading is the whole of Chapter 1.

It is a challenging reading, talking of the suffering of the Thessalonians Christians, and their steadfastness as a sign of God's favour. But it also speaks of the judgement facing those who afflict them, and Jesus as the agent of that judgement.

The Grove booklet on what happens when we die is here: https://grovebooks.co.uk/product/b-114-death-and-hell-what-the-new-testament-does-and-does-not-teach/

My discussion on the meaning of 'tribulation' in the New Testament is here: https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/what-does-the-new-testament-say-about-tribulation/

The gospel reading this week is Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus in Luke 19. The video discussion can be found here: https://youtu.be/iU8CSFF4eeQ

and the written commentary here: https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/jesus-calls-zacchaeus-in-luke-19/