“1 Thessalonians 5”

Sunday, July 09, 2017

Chapter Five continues the theme from the end of Chapter 4 about the second coming. Paul discusses two major aspects of our Lord’s return.

• We don’t know when it will be
• We need to be ready for it at all times

He is telling them that belief in the second coming should improve the way Christians live.  A constant awareness that Jesus could come back at any time should cause us to think twice before we do something that might be questionable. (If you are considering doing “something” that you are unconvinced is right, ask yourself if you would be willing to be doing this thing when Christ returns. If not, it is probably a bad idea to do at all.)

He compares the Lord’s return to “a thief in the night.” A thief strikes suddenly and often, when least expected. He also uses the illustration of labor pains coming on a pregnant woman suddenly and sometimes without much warning.

As sons of light, we should not be surprised by His return. We have been warned. A wise person takes such warnings seriously and makes preparation. Only those of “the night” or “of darkness” should be unprepared to stand before the Christ in judgment.

Similar to the end of many of Paul’s letters, verses 12-28 contain miscellaneous instructions and some practical advice about preparing for Jesus’ return. There is no need for those who are believers to be unprepared. But just because these subjects are miscellaneous, this does not mean that they are unimportant.

He speaks of the responsibility of every Christian to work in harmony with the shepherds (or elders) of the local church. The Lord desires peace to exist in every congregation.

Paul also addresses many of the duties of a child of God in relationship with each other and with the Savior. We must “test all things” and only seek to do those things that will help us and others to make it to heaven, not those things which would turn us away from the Master.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house in coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:35-37).

--Roger Hillis

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