1 Thessalonians 5: When The Day Of The Lord Comes

1 Thessalonians 5 is the final chapter in the book. Here Paul gives us some insight into the last days and gives us some final advice on how to live our lives.

As I read the books Paul wrote, I became more convicted. I tend to live my life carefreely and selfishly. I think of what I want to do, and where I want to go.

In essence, I want to be in charge, and I love the freedom of making decisions on a whim.

Those desires by themselves aren’t a bad thing, however, they are bad when I don’t include God in my decision-making processes. How often in my posts have I stated that Jesus is the way, and God is our source?

If we are living our lives without God, our lives are pointless.

1 Thessalonians 5: The Day Of The Lord

5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. ² For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 

³ When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

⁴ But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. ⁵ For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 

⁶ So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. ⁷ Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. ⁸ But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

⁹ For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. ¹⁰ Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. ¹¹ So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Thessalonians 5:3 is what hits me the most in this chunk of verses. As long as I can remember I’ve heard the apocalypse will come and it will be hell on earth before the coming of Christ.

However, verse 3 states the opposite. Things will happen when humans think everything is peaceful and secure.

I’ll be honest, this terrifies me a bit. Over the last few years, we’ve seen our country falling apart. On top of that, we’ve had the Covid Pandemic and some crazy things happened politically.

And I’m only scratching the surface of events.

Everyone I know has stated this is the start of everything. Bad stuff is on the way and then the rapture will happen, and that might be true, but we’ve missed a step.

Mankind has to organize itself and make peace beforehand. Verse 3 states something like that specifically. Humans will say to themselves, “Everything is peaceful and secure.” And then the end will come.

The last line of verse 3 is the most chilling. “There will be no escape.”

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you don’t have to be afraid of any of this. He has your back, and to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (worst case scenario).

Live your life, following Jesus, see where he guides you, and he’ll take care of you.

1 Thessalonians 5: Paul’s Final Advice

¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. ¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not scoff at prophecies, ²¹ but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-19

This section of verses in 1 Thessalonians 5 makes me laugh a little. It’s basically saying to talk with people keeping them in line.

Biblically speaking it doesn’t seem like God likes lazy people, and rightly so. God made us move and work with each other. And that leads to my second point, he loves for us to encourage others.

When working with other people, give them encouragement, and show them you care about them. Help them when you can and don’t speak badly about them.

If they are lacking a skill, help them learn it, if they fail, help them succeed. It’s our duty as Christians to lift others up and point them to God.

1 Thessalonians 5: Paul’s Final Greetings

²³ Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. ²⁴ God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

²⁵ Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

²⁷ I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

In the final lines of 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul reminds the people to love one another, and share his words with each other.

I love 1 Thessalonians 5 because Paul gives us some practical advice, and it’s advice we can all use. Love one another, and trust in God. I hope you enjoyed my latest post. Have a great day!