1Thessalonians 5:1-11
Saturday, 23 July 2022
“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” -1 Thessalonians 5:2
After explaining the events that will take place during the return of Christ towards the end of Thessalonians chapter 4, Apostle Paul begins chapter 5 with an alarming note to be watchful. It will be a sudden event and at an unexpected moment like the coming of a thief in the night. But for those brothers and sisters who are aware of these things and live for Christ, will not be taken unawares.
The events that are to take place during His return is referred in 1 Thess. 4:16-18.
As it is revealed in the scripture, is exactly going to happen in this world.
1. Christ will return to earth visibly with a loud command.
2. There will be an unmistakable voice from an Angel.
3. There will be a trumpet call such us has never being heard.
4. Those in Christ who are dead will rise first.
5. Believers who are alive (in Christ) will be caught up in the clouds to meet Him.
In view of the Second Coming of Christ, we can broadly classify people into two groups: people who will be taken up with Him and the others who will be left behind. There will be great tribulation and destruction for the people who will be left behind on the face of earth. And so, the day of the Lord includes both blessing and punishment.
Efforts to determine the date of the return of Christ is foolish. We should not be misled by people who claim to know of it. The Bible says not even the angels in heaven will know the exact time. And hence the apostle warns each one of us to be ready in season and out of season. In Matthew 24, Jesus himself speaks about the events that would take place before His return. He points to various signs as a warning. We can see those signs happening right before our eyes in the present time. But He stressed that people should be less concerned with the knowing of exact date of His coming but be more concerned with being preparing ourselves for the great event of His sudden appearing.
In our reading itself, there is an exhortation to live as sons of light and sons of the day- so that we will not be taken by surprise when the Lord Jesus comes. V.8 says, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” If one needs the hope of salvation it is explained in the very next verse- we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ! (V.9).
If anyone still does not have that hope, Romans 10:9 says, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Being saved is the first step to meeting the Lord Jesus as one belonging to Him. Then such persons should make every effort to live in God’s way consistently according to God’s Word, so that when He comes in glory, He should claim us as His own.
If Jesus is to return today, how would He find your life? Are you ready to meet Him??
Thought for the Day: Live each day prepared to welcome Christ!
Listen: 'Soon and very soon'
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