1 Thessalonians 5 - How Should You Get Ready for Jesus' Second Coming?
The Day of the Lord
5 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.
1 Thessalonians 5 was written very early in the first century. Commentators think it could have been written as early as 50 A.D. The first generations of Christians were facing severe persecution. Some of Jesus' teaching hinted that this generation wou;d not pass away until the Son of Man returned. Therefore, this is one of the main questions Paul is addressing as he finalizes his first letter to them. Paul says, "About these times and dates do not need to write to you!"
Why? Because he had already written to them about this and they were already clearly informted about these matters. But like many Christians they wanted more information. Specifically they wanted to know a specific time or date that Jesus would return. This question has been asked by every generation since. For some Christians the topic of when Jesus will return can seem to me to be a little obsessive. There is nothing wrong with being excited for Jesus to return, but to try and predict when it happens is not a great use of our time. Instead Paul gives the church very practical instructions, rather than spending time trying to make prognostications.
1. Jesus will come like a thief in the night. Jesus will return when we least expect it. If we knew the exact day and time a thief would come to our house, we would be fully ready. But anytime I have had anything stolen from me it was at a time I least expected it. Paul says the culture might be saying "peace, peace" but that might be the very time we are the most vulnerable. Bottom line is we need to be ready for Jesus to return at any time.
2. As children of the light we should not be surprised. Paul uses the metaphor of drunkenness to compare unbelievers in the culture to believers who should be sober and alert. If you have ever been inebriatated you might remember how oblivious you were to what was going on around you at the time. (Let's be honest!) Though some people get drunk during the day, most get drunk at night. Often in the morning they wonder, "What really happeneed last might? What did I do?"
To push the metaphor further, as Christians we can often waltz through life and just blend in with the world. We can get "tipsy" with the riches, fame, or the popularity the world might offer. We take our eye off the ball and get blurry on what is really happening in the world. This isn't necessarily a call to abstinence, but it is a call to keep our "eyes wide open". As Jesus says in Matthew 10 he ways we need to be, "wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
We don't need to abandon our engagement with the world. We don't need to hide out in fear or become callous to world. Remember God so loved THE WORLD that he sent Jesus to save it! Christians we are not called to hide out in our holy huddles waiting for Jesus to return. We are to be at work doing the things Jesus called us to do as the day of His return approaches. His kingdom is surely coming, Martin Luther says, but the question is, "Will it come through us?"
3. As we wait for Jesus' return, Paul tells us to put on faith and love as a breastplate and hope of salvation as a helmet.
Paul used the analogy of a soldier's armor in other letters he wrote, classically in Ephesians 6. Since we are in a spiritual battle, Paul teaches faith and love should guard our hearts like a breastplate. Faith is trusting in God's promises. As we wait for Jesus' return, there are so many promises we can hold on to to keep us from fear and anxiety. Most importantly through faith in Jesus, we know that we will escape the wrath of God that is to come.
Putting on love as a breastplate also protects our hearts. The apostle John wrote, "Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18 Once we have received the unconditional love of God through Christ, we are called ot love others, as he has loved us. So, we should maybe spend less time worrying about Jesus return, and spend more time being about the business of sharing Christ's love with the world.
I know some Christians who spend so much time trying to figure which political or world leader is the anti-Christ, they told have time to build relationship and share with those who are headed for a Christless eternity.
Finally, our hope is the "helmet of salvation". The helmet protects the brain. The hope we have in Christ assures us of our salvation. It is not a blind hope, but one based on the historical resurrection of Jesus. Since Jesus rose from the dead, we can be sure that he too will bring life to our mortal bodies when we die. Romans 8:11
As you see what is happening in the world beware of those who proclaim peace when there is no peace!
How can you hold on to faith, hope, and love get ready? Are you living as a child of the light, or a child of darkness?
Who is someone you can encourage and build up today?
Jesus, thank you for all of your precious promises, all of which we know are true. We hold on to the promise that you will return in great and promised glory. May we hold on to and activate faith, hope, and love so we will be ready at any time! Amen.
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