June 11, 2014
THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING. WHAT SHALL WE DO?
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Cathy Ratliff
Central Truth
God has revealed that the final day of judgment will happen. He plans for us not to live in fear, but to trust Him for salvation and to encourage others.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The Day of the Lord
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, 1 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children 2 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Dive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
In this passage, Paul reminds these Christians that the day of the Lord is coming and that they need not concern themselves with the day or time because Jesus is coming back soon.
Today, we have plenty of people writing books and making movies about the end of our planet Earth. Many productions of such are secular in nature emphasizing only death, destruction, and horrific violence. Fortunately, God reveals His plan to His people, students of the Word, just as He has in the past.
Consider Noah, whose story is told in Genesis 6-8. God told him He would put end to all people because of their violence, and their grievous sins. He also instructed him to build a boat that would be salvation to him, his family, and the animals.
Consider also Abraham. God warned Abraham that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded with God to save Lot and his family, and God was merciful.
We have been warned that the day of the Lord is coming. The heavens will disappear, and the elements will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10). So, what is the believer in Christ to do?
According to this passage in 1 Thessalonians, the answer is to walk as children of light, not drunk, not asleep, but sober. We are to build each other up in faith and encourage those around us in their walk with Christ. If they don't know Jesus, start building a relationship in order to share the good news.
I like to be prepared in any situation. I am that type of person. I am really tempted to load up on canned goods, water, flashlights, batteries, and other ways they suggest for disasters. This Scripture is telling me that a far better use of my time, energy, and resources is to build into the people around me, so they will know the One who is real security and life: Jesus Christ. We don't know the day or the hour when Jesus will come back. So, encourage others in their walk today.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever found yourself obsessed with end time prophecies? What did it benefit you?
2. If you did know the actual day and hour of the end of the world, how would you live differently?
3. What people is God bringing to your mind today that need encouragement in their faith?