Living Like Jesus is Coming Soon
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In chapter 4.13-18, Paul is giving a Word from the Lord about the Rapture, some encouraging clarification about those who have died before Jesus returns. He starts the section with “I don’t want you to be ignorant.”
Note that in these verses he says, you don’t need an explanation, you are fully aware. I believe this is because Paul had taught them that the Lord was coming soon, and suddenly, and that Judgment would follow.
In the verses we read there is a great contrast between believers and unbelievers in the way we value the Day of Judgment that is to come.
After the Lord comes back to take the Church out of the world, judgment (called the day of the Lord begins)
Notice how Paul contrasts believers and unbelievers.
Unbelievers are caught off guard
Unbelievers are caught off guard
Believers know He’s coming suddenly
Believers know He’s coming suddenly
For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.
Unbelievers think all is well
Unbelievers think all is well
They are chill going on about their business like things will always be as they are
Believers are prepared for battle
Believers are prepared for battle
When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation.
The language is similar to Ephesians 6 where we are told to put on the whole armor of God, but the symbolic use of armor is a little different. I think we get to hung up on trying to assign huge meaning to every piece of armor, and miss the word picture. Be prepared for spiritual
Unbelievers have no escape
Unbelievers have no escape
Believers escape God’s wrath
Believers escape God’s wrath
When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Unbelievers are in a spiritual stupor
Unbelievers are in a spiritual stupor
Believers are busy, redeeming the time
Believers are busy, redeeming the time
But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.
For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
In chapter 4 Paul called believers who die before Jesus comes back “asleep”; their bodies in the ground awaiting the resurrection, when their bodies will be raised.
Here he speaks of living unbelievers as walking through life, asleep, and calls on living Christians to be sober and awake.
An Anchoring Truth:
An Anchoring Truth:
God rescues us from wrath, gives us salvation through Jesus, and makes it possible to live forever with him, whether we are dead or alive when Jesus comes back.
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
A Faith-Building Command:
A Faith-Building Command:
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Keep encouraging and building each other up with this truth.
The first command in the whole book 1 Thess was in chapter 4.18… encourage.
Here is the second command… encourage and build each other up.