Daily Scripture Reading 1Thessalonians 5:1-28
It is common for Christians to look at all the sin and conflict in modern society and conclude the rapture and day of the Lord have to be imminent. The proliferation of pornography, same-sex marriage, abortion, and other sins are all cited as proof that Jesus has to come soon. Some well-known speakers in the Christian community even go so far as to predict dates when the rapture will take place.
Paul wrote one line in his first letter to the Thessalonians that should make us question that mentality and those assumptions. He actually indicated that we should assume the opposite.
Towards the end of chapter 4, Paul began writing about life after death. He assured the Thessalonians that their brothers who had fallen asleep would rise first when Christ returns, and then those who are alive will meet them and Jesus in the air.
1Th. 5:1 ¶ Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
1Th. 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
The term “day of the Lord” occurs five times in the New Testament: Acts 2:20, 1Cor 5:5, 1Th 5:2, 2Th 2:2, and 2Pet 3:10. This passage in 1Thessalonians does not define the day of the Lord. The passage in 2Peter defines the day of the Lord as the time when the heavens will pass away and the earth will be found out.
When Paul wrote this letter, he assumed his readers understood the concept of the day of the Lord. He simply wrote to alert them that it would come like a thief in the night. The point is a thief comes unexpectedly, without warning. So too, the day of the Lord will come without warning.
1Th. 5:3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape.
Paul went on to write that the day of the Lord will come at a time when everyone is safe and at peace.
It is common for Christians to look at all the sin and conflict in modern society and conclude the rapture and day of the Lord have to be imminent. However, since Paul wrote that the day of the Lord will come when everyone is safe and at peace, perhaps the rapture will happen when the world is relatively calm, peaceful, and righteous. This means when the world is at war and sin is rampant, then we should not assume the rapture is imminent, because during wartime people are not saying peace and safety.
1Th. 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief,
1Th. 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
1Th. 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober.
1Th. 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
1Th. 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th. 5:9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Notice the word “appointed”. Some Christians believe God elects those who are saved while others believe all men have free will to choose whether or not to serve God. The word “appointed” indicates God determined that Paul and his readers would be saved and not face wrath.
1Th. 5:10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
1Th. 5:11 Therefore, comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
The rest of this book is a series of commands and instructions on how to live the Christian life.
1Th. 5:12 ¶ But we ask of you, brothers, that you know those who labor among you, and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
Look at the words “know those who labor among you”.
Jesus taught that a good shepherd knows his sheep. That means church leaders are responsible for knowing the people in their church. In this verse, Paul urged the Thessalonians to know their church leaders.
1Th. 5:13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
1Th. 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1Th. 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
The natural human desire is to get revenge and do bad things to those who mistreat us. However, Christians need to resist the urge to do evil when we are maligned.
1Th. 5:16 Rejoice always;
It is hard to rejoice when life is hard, but there is always a silver lining in every life event. Even the most painful experiences can be learning experiences.
1Th. 5:17 pray without ceasing;
Many people interpret this as meaning Christians should be praying every minute of every day. However, that is not possible. Instead, I believe it means when we have a prayer request, we should pray for it over and over again, without ceasing, until it is answered.
1Th. 5:18 in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This is similar to rejoicing always. Even in the most trying events of our lives, there is something for which to give thanks.
1Th. 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit;
1Th. 5:20 do not despise prophecies,
Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians often use verses 19 and 20 to shut down those who are skeptical that Christians can “speak in tongues” today. If anyone doubts Charismatic doctrine, then Charismatics accuse them of quenching the Spirit and despising prophecies. However, skeptics are not quenching the Spirit or despising prophecies if the acts of Charismatics are not truly works of the Spirit.
1Th. 5:21 but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good;
Verse 21 commands us to examine all things, which would include examining whether Charismatics and Pentecostals are indeed being directed by the Spirit.
1Th. 5:22 abstain from every form of evil.
1Th. 5:23 ¶ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice the phrase “spirit and soul and body”. Humanity has long debated the composition of humans. Some claim humans are only a physical body. Others claim humans are made up of mind and body. Some even claim people are only a mind and that the physical body is an imagination of the mind.
Paul gave the Christian answer to this question. Humans are made up of a body, soul, and spirit.
1Th. 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.
1Th. 5:25 ¶ Brothers, pray for us.
1Th. 5:26 ¶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
The command to greet one another with a holy kiss is repeated in 4 other New Testament passages: Rom 16:16, 1Cor 16:20, 2Cor 13:12, and 1Pet 5:14. For the most part, Christianity ignores this command, but we should not. It is in the Bible and should be observed.
1Th. 5:27 I implore you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
1Th. 5:28 ¶ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
This letter by Paul makes it clear the day of the Lord is coming, and it will come at a time when people are not expecting it.
To what extent do you assume the rapture is imminent because of the sin and political conflict that is so rampant around the world?
If the day of the Lord will come when people are saying peace and safety, does that mean Jesus will return and the dead in Christ will rise when people are saying peace and safety?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”