Good morning,
We complete our study of 1 Thessalonians this week. Chapter 5 helps us understand how we are to live in light of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord refers to the Judgments of the Seven Year Tribulation which will follow the Rapture.
Christian Living in Light of the Day of the Lord
1. We are to be ready for His return (1-3)
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
a.The suddenness of His return.
1) The uncertainty of the time of His return. (1)
2) The imminency of His return – “As a thief in the night” (2)
3) The signs of His return – Cries of peace (3)
b.The call to be ready for His return (4-11)
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1) Because of who we are (4-8)
2) Because of what we will escape – wrath (9-11)
Tomorrow we will discover specific things we are to do in light of the imminent Day of the Lord.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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