Children of the Day

Sean Dittman

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Introduction

Paul is continuing in chapter 5 what he started in chapter 4. He has given insight to the christians regarding what happens to people in christ who die. He explains to them the certainty of the resurrection. He also speaks of the resurrection it self for christians, those who are alive at the time of the resurrection. The dead in christ will rise first and receive a new glorified body and those who are alive still and remain will be changed from their mortal bodies to their glorified bodies in a twinkle of an eye, they will meet Christ and all the other saints in air and be with him forever. The intent of chapter 4 13:18 was to comfort those who have lost loved ones in death. Chapter 5 1-11 is to challenge believers to live faithfully. Now starting in chapter 5 he begins to address some very specific topics. The timing of events. lets pick up 5 verse 1

The Day of the Lord

It seems Paul answers some questions concerning the the Day of the Lord. He tells them they are fully aware the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. He tells them they have no need to have anyone write to them regarding ( Times and the seasons) Chronos and Charios sequence of events, fixed and definite period of time. Jesus used this phrase in speaking to the disciples of his return for the Kingdom. He must of taught them already regarding end times (no need to have and fully aware emphasis) but he is reminding them of the implications of the events. The day of the lord is coming, it will surprise unbelievers but they are to remain alert and prepared.

The day of the Lord in the OT was known for a day of judgment for all Nations. People who have rejected God. It was also a time for restoration of remnant in Isreal. The punishment of evil and salvation for the righteous. This means this is a period of time not a single day (read some of the OT passages)

It seems the Thessalonians were unsure regarding their status during the Day of the Lord the recent deaths in church may have caused them to doubt their readiness for the return of the lord. Paul reminds them of analogy “like a thief in the night” used many times in the NT Jesus spoke of himself coming when least expected

Matthew 24:36–43 ESV

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

Luke 12:35–40 ESV

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Thief in the night- is used to point to the unexpected event of God intervening the world suddenly. They are carrying on as if nothing is ever gonna happen. They are in complete control. The second analogy is that of a pregnant woman who suddenly goes into labor. The point of this analogy is different than the thief of sudden surprise. A woman that is pregnant expects to go into labor at some point. When a woman starts labor, it doesn’t matter if she is ready for it or not that baby is coming. The pains are real and there is nothing stopping it until it conclusion. That is the point here, once the judgment of God starts there will be no escape. Nothing you do or say will lessen or abate his punishment.

The constant theme is readiness and alertness., and the unexpected attitude of the non believing world. Paul reminds them of this period of time that is coming with absolute certainty

Not in darkness

The christians here were excluded from a thief coming to them at night. They were excluded from sudden destruction. They were in fact told that day will not surprise them.

They are children of the day and not darkness

They are not of the night and they are not asleep. The word sleep here is different than what was used in chapter four speaking of those who have died, here it means spiritual lethargy and insensitivity The end of verse 6 the Holman’s bible translated the word sober as serious. Let us be alert and serious, I thought that was interesting.

it means spiritual lethargy and insensitivity

The unbelieving world is lost, blind and is not expecting the coming Judgement. Paul reminds them not to live this way. They are to live in light of all this.

He tells them they are not destined for wrath in verse 9 clearly the DAY of THE LORD is a time of God’s wrath, christians are not to be found in the path of that destruction. If we connect the context with chapter 4 and the resurrection, specifically the phrase caught up to meet the Lord in the air, Harpadzoo, the bride of christ maybe with the Lord during this poring of God’s judgment. (Speak about the brides maids briefly in )

The image of Armor is used here, the christian path is hard. They must be prepared for battle to live the christian life alert and sober. Faith, love, hope of salvation must be of the forefront of the mind of christians.

He concludes with the fact of their eternal life. Whether they die before he comes and are alive at the time of his coming they will forever live with him. This is too encourage and build them up constantly.

Application

What does the day of the Lord mean for us?

You are now not ignorant or unaware of the coming Day of the Lord.

There are two types of people described in these passages. There are people of the night, they are in darkness, they are complacent, they are asleep, they are drunk, they are unexpecting. They will be greatly surprised. Then those who are aware, they are alert, they are serious about the Lord’s work, they are awake, they are expecting His return.

Which one are you??

In your daily life, in your daily routine how much of your mind is consumed by the word of God, the coming events of the Lord. Remaining in the vine and allowing the vine dresser to prune you so you bare more fruit?

Let the Love of the Lord, the grace of God, the mercies of God to compel you to be awake, to be about the Lord’s work, to be alert not to become complacent.

Do you warn people of the Day of the Lord? Do you warn people of his coming Judgement? Do you plead with people to receive the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus? Since you are children of truth, children of the day, you know what is coming I read the verses.

God wants us to encourage one another and build one another up. We are not destined for wrath, let that cause us to live different than those who are destined for wrath. Let us bask in the grace of God, the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodly things. We obtain salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ vs 9 and verse 10 tells us he died for us so we will live with him forever. Lets spur each other on and help each other.