THE Thessalonians were but recently converted to God, but they had learned the truth of the Lord's speedy return. They had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven."
The waiting attitude characterized them. They were like men waiting for their Lord. As we all know, as even unconverted men know perfectly well, if saints were waiting for Christ their whole lives would be changed. There is not a man who does not know this. Do you think people would be heaping up money, or dressing themselves in finery, to meet the Lord?
If the truth of the Lord's speedy return were held practically in our souls, it would change our lives. And the Lord communicated the truth that it might so act upon His saints that when He cometh and knocketh they may open to Him immediately.