THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2024
TEXT:
1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11
1: Now, brothers and
sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2: for you know very
well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3: While people are
saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4: But you, brothers
and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a
thief.
5: You are all children
of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the
darkness.
6: So then, let us not
be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
7: For those who sleep,
sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8: But since we belong
to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and
the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9: For God did not
appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
10: He died for us so
that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
11: Therefore encourage
one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
READY FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD
Paul said that there
was no need for him to write on any aspect of the Great Day (Parousia) because
he spoke about it when he was with them (5:1). The concept of the Day of the
Lord is an Old Testament expression (Amos 5:18).
There are two ideas
expressed in the Scripture about the Day of the Lord. The idea of judgement is
glaring (Amos 5:18; c/f2 Peter 2:9) but in the New Testament, the emphasis is
on the judgement of individuals rather than on nations.
Apostle Paul used the
stealing analogy to present a more vivid arrival of the Day of the Lord when he
says it comes like a thief in the night. What he was saying in essence has to
do with the timing of the Lord's second coming, which no one knows.
In view of the
suddenness of the timing, Apostle Paul urged believers not to live as children
of Satan, but live as children of the day. He exhorted the readers to be alert
because the day will surely come. He stated that the conduct of children of the
night is unlike that of the children of the day.
We Christians belong to
the day and God has appointed us not to wrath, but unto salvation through Jesus
Christ who died for us. This is a teaching for getting ready for Christ's
return. This text is a vivid description of the rapture.
Paul wanted believers
in Thessalonica to live with eternity in view. He ended his teachings on
Parousia (the Great Day or the Day of the Lord) with an exhortation to help one
another. Brethren, this is also a challenge to all of us to build one another.
QUESTION:
How prepared are you as a believer for the Day of the Lord?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, help me to be prepared for the Day of the Lord. Help us as
believers to live our lives with eternity in view. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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