Living Grace Foursquare Church
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Like a Thief in the Night
Paul has encourged the church that they will see their loved ones again. Now he speaks of things to come. Things that are still in our future. What should we be on the lookout for? What are the signs of the end-times? Are we close? What do we need to know? Are you ready? 5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Locations & Times
Living Grace Foursquare Church
3646 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
You Know!
The Times and Seasons
Chronos: Wall Clock; the time of day, a measurement of time
Kairos: the characteristics of our seasons, the nature of our seasons
The Times and Seasons
Chronos: Wall Clock; the time of day, a measurement of time
Kairos: the characteristics of our seasons, the nature of our seasons
The Day of the Lord
Most associate the day of the Lord with a period of time or a special day that will occur when God’s will and purpose for His world and for mankind will be fulfilled.
1. Paul says that “the day of the Lord” will come like a thief in the night (5:2)
a. They would not know the exact day but can know when it’s near.
b. Paul did not set a date and Jesus, while on earth, did not know the date
i. Matthew 24: 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[b] but the Father only.
ii. The Day of the Lord will be unexpected, but He wants His people prepared for the unexpected
Most associate the day of the Lord with a period of time or a special day that will occur when God’s will and purpose for His world and for mankind will be fulfilled.
1. Paul says that “the day of the Lord” will come like a thief in the night (5:2)
a. They would not know the exact day but can know when it’s near.
b. Paul did not set a date and Jesus, while on earth, did not know the date
i. Matthew 24: 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[b] but the Father only.
ii. The Day of the Lord will be unexpected, but He wants His people prepared for the unexpected
1. Don’t be surprised by that day
2. Stay awake and be sober
No sleep
“indifference to spiritual realities on the part of believers. It is a different word than that in 4:13-15 for the sleep of death. It covers all sorts of moral and spiritual laxity or insensibility”. Hiebert
Be Sober
The term sober literally means “free from intoxicating influences.”
To not allow ourselves to be influenced by anything that leads us away from God’s truth and sound judgment. Sobriety is a state of being.
“indifference to spiritual realities on the part of believers. It is a different word than that in 4:13-15 for the sleep of death. It covers all sorts of moral and spiritual laxity or insensibility”. Hiebert
Be Sober
The term sober literally means “free from intoxicating influences.”
To not allow ourselves to be influenced by anything that leads us away from God’s truth and sound judgment. Sobriety is a state of being.
Silently and Suddenly
vs3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Contrast this with Matthew 24:
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Priding themselves on their secure lifestyles. Peace characterizes their inward repose, while safety reveals their freedom from outward interference. Yet at the moment that tranquility seemingly reaches its peak, destruction will come on them suddenly. ‘Destruction’, means utter and hopeless ruin, a loss of everything worthwhile. Causing the victims to despair of life itself (Revelation 9:6). Without being annihilated, they are assigned to wrath.” Robert Thomas Expositors Bible commentary
2 aspects of His 2nd coming:
The rapture is His coming for His saints, His 2nd coming is His coming with His saints.
As labor pains come upon a pregnant woman
And they will not escape
vs3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Contrast this with Matthew 24:
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Priding themselves on their secure lifestyles. Peace characterizes their inward repose, while safety reveals their freedom from outward interference. Yet at the moment that tranquility seemingly reaches its peak, destruction will come on them suddenly. ‘Destruction’, means utter and hopeless ruin, a loss of everything worthwhile. Causing the victims to despair of life itself (Revelation 9:6). Without being annihilated, they are assigned to wrath.” Robert Thomas Expositors Bible commentary
2 aspects of His 2nd coming:
The rapture is His coming for His saints, His 2nd coming is His coming with His saints.
As labor pains come upon a pregnant woman
And they will not escape
Believers on the other hand live in the light of truth.
a. John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
a. John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Rescued from The Wrath of God
a. A wrath that we deserve.
i. Because of what Adam did, the whole human race is destined for the wrath of God.
ii. Because of my own sin, I am destined for the wrath of God Romans 3:23, 5:8
Yet because of what Jesus did, I obtain salvation not wrath
He died that I might have life!
a. A wrath that we deserve.
i. Because of what Adam did, the whole human race is destined for the wrath of God.
ii. Because of my own sin, I am destined for the wrath of God Romans 3:23, 5:8
Yet because of what Jesus did, I obtain salvation not wrath
He died that I might have life!
Parting wisdom from Chuck Swindoll:
1. "Don’t be indifferent because tomorrow is secure"
2. "Don’t be fooled because today seems calm"
Don’t delay in telling others the good news!
1. "Don’t be indifferent because tomorrow is secure"
2. "Don’t be fooled because today seems calm"
Don’t delay in telling others the good news!