The thirteen letters of Paul to the various congregations predate the gospels, and are the first documents from early Christendom. 1st and 2nd Thessalonians are the oldest. Each of Paul's letters is written in a definite rhetorical style, with a formal greeting, reports on the state of the ministry, exhortation, some doctrinal exposition, and a formal benediction and blessing. The letters are "occasional," meaning that each was written in response to issues that concerned that group of people, so we are not surprised to find some differences among them.
The pattern of Paul's missionary journeys was consistent: enter a new city, preach in the synagogue, find sympathetic souls and make converts, establish a "house-church" and then revisit the congregation or send emissaries later on. And then write letters. These letters give us a glimpse into the lives of the first Christians, trying to understand what it meant to be a follower of Christ in a Jewish society.
The saints in Thessalonica were convinced that Jesus was coming soon, and apparently some of them had stopped working and were just waiting around, so Paul attempts to set them straight. We learned about the various apocalyptic movements over the centuries that have arisen, always with the idea that they have the secret figured out, and know precisely when the Lord is coming. Though Jesus assures us that we will be surprised, many have tried to outguess Him. The Millerites were a movement that began in 1831, just a year after our church, but dwindled after the "Great Disappointment," when the Savior failed to appear in October of 1844. Like the over-zealous "preppers" of today, the events associated with the apocalypse began to overshadow the atonement, and disappointment and disillusionment followed.
How Shall We Prepare?
What is the most important thing we can do to prepare for the second coming of the Savior? As Jesus teaches His disciples about His coming in Matthew 24-25, He ends by describing those who will be found on His right hand. Is it the group with the most food storage, or the strongest defense plan? The most perfectly obedient? Here is how Jesus describes them: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matt. 25:34–36) That is rather startling. Could it be that the best preparation for the second coming is to show mercy and love to the people we meet today?
Elder Dallin Oaks says this: “If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained? If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them.”
And that most practical of prophets, Brigham Young, concurs, urging us: “Do not be too anxious for the Lord to hasten His work. Let our anxiety be centered upon this one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts… Seek to have the spirit of Christ, that we may wait patiently the time of the Lord, and prepare ourselves for the times that are coming. This is our duty.”
The Books of the New Testament in Chronological Order:
While no one really knows exactly when these books were written, here is a rough chronology of the Books of the New Testament. Other commentaries place Mark as older than Luke and Matthew, though, so that calls at least that part of this list into question!
Source: Bible Study Tools: http://www.biblestudytools.com/resources/guide-to-bible-study/order-books-new-testament.html
