Ralph Porter
© 2002
In hard times God's people ask hard questions:
• Why?
• How long?
• How should God's people respond to ungodly opposition?
• What's really important to me?
• What's worth dying for?
• What does the future hold?
While the believers at Thessalonica weren't asking the same questions, they were asking similar questions concerning their future. God's people in Paul's day faced many of these issues. Many of God's people in other parts of the world face these issues today. If present trends continue, it's like that we may face these same issues in our lifetime!
Thessalonica was one of the first churches in Macedonia Paul started while on his second missionary journey (Acts 16-17). His ministry there was fruitful. There was a positive response to the presentation of the Gospel (1 Thess. 1:4-10; 2:13-14a).
The church there was founded in the midst of heavy Jewish opposition and persecution which continued after his departure (2:1-2, 14b-16a; 3:2-4, 7). As a result of their suffering, the new believers there felt alone and discouraged. Paul writes to stimulate them to be faithful and not become discouraged because of their affliction. He helps them find perspective by pointing to the end of the story. He tells them Who wins. God has HIS day!
Problem 4:13
Having been thoroughly instructed by Paul, in spite of his brief time among them, the Thessalonian Christians believe the Lord's return is imminent. Christ was going to come soon, perhaps "any day now!" He could come at any time! Paul assumes that he is going to be among those who are still alive when Jesus comes back to earth again (4:15). In the meantime, before the Lord could come, some died. They would no longer be present when Christ returned. What will happen to them?
Solution 4:14-17
Paul assures them that they need not be concerned about those who have died in as much as they will be resurrected first, and will precede those who remain alive. The living don't beat the dead! First, God will raise the dead in Christ. Then He will raise those who are still alive who trust Him. Both groups meet the Lord in the air. Both groups remain with Him forever. Those who die ahead of time won't miss out on anything!
Result 4:18
This assurance should serve to encourage those who suffer for their faith. We can encourage one another. We will all enjoy eternity together in the Lord's presence.
That time of celebration begins with the rapture, when the trumpet sounds, and the Lord descends, to gather all His people from the grave, as well as from every corner of the earth.
However, though Paul tells us what happens to the dead and the living, and he tells us the facts concerning the rapture of the church, His words of encouragement don't give us any indication of when this event takes place. He only refers to the relationship between the dead and the living. However, the whole argument presupposes the imminence of our Lord's coming. He could come at any time! This is next great event in God's timetable for His church. However, chapter 4 doesn't tell us when it happens!
Chapter 5 is introduced by the "when?" question: "Now brothers, about the times and the seasons . . . ." That is, "Now, as to when this is going to happen . . ." (5:1). When is this going to happen?
It may seem too obvious to note, and yet it is significant that chapter 4 comes before chapter 5! I believe that Paul has done that intentionally, because the events of chapter 4 come before the events of chapter 5! The rapture comes before the "day of the Lord!" This period follows the rapture.
Chapter 5 is connected to chapter 4 by the initial question. It relates the two parts of his topic together. In 5:10 Paul indicates that he's still dealing with the same subject: how death affects the program. The implications are the same for both those who remain alive and for those who have died.
This passage isn't the strongest argument in favor of that sequence, and by itself it wouldn't be conclusive. However, it is significant! Paul continues his description of God's program by introducing the events which occur on the earth following the rapture, in the day of the Lord.
"The day of the Lord" is used frequently by the Old Testament prophets. It is used in a general sense to apply to any period when God demonstrates His control over history -when God has His day! They also use it in a more specific sense, related directly to the last days of God's program on earth. In that sense it refers to the final period when God demonstrates His control over history--either for judgment or for blessing His people.
Numerous passages describe that time when God will judge the world for its sin and rebellion against Him. In that context, He will bless His own people (Zech. 14; Joel 3; Zeph. 3). It's a day of judgment for the opponents of God, but a day of deliverance for the faithful. The same day is seen from two different perspectives. Sometimes the term focuses on one aspect, sometimes it focuses on the other, or on the entire period.
Throughout Paul's discussion of the day of the Lord, he makes a distinction between those who are ready for it and those who aren't expecting it.
So, when IS this going to happen?
"YOU DON'T NEED ME TO TELL YOU . . . ."
You already know . . .
The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night 5:1-3
As our Lord announced earlier, the day of the Lord comes when people least expect it (Luke 12:39; Matt. 24:42). It is unexpected and announced. There will be no advance warning. A thief doesn't call and ask if he can come by at 3 a.m. He comes without warning! So it will be when God's day of judgment comes on the earth. In spite of many "prophetic" voices in our day that claim to know when the day of the Lord will begin, Paul says it will come like a thief in the night--unannounced and unexpected. Since we don't know when it will come, we must be ready at all times.
People will be expecting peace and security. Like the situation depicted in Ezekiel 38-39, there will be a general sense of peace in the air. This sense begins with Antichrist's covenant (Dan. 9:26-27). Troubled times have become good times. Everybody's expecting better times ahead! These will be good times economically and politically. Things are looking good! World peace will be on everyone's mind! Everyone expects it!
This represents a radical change from the troubled atmosphere we hear people talking about today. The situation is just the opposite of popular views today. We look for our Lord's coming in times of crisis. Paul says it will come at a time of world peace and security.
Just when everyone expects peace, safety, prosperity, and good times, they experience devastation. People will experience destruction. He compares it to childbirth. It begins with labor pains, but at the end there is a birth. The sharp pain begins without warning, when least expected.
It's an irreversible process-once it starts, there will be a birth-something new begins! It comes as the result of an irreversible process. Once it starts, it will deliver.
People won't escape it!
This doesn't mean that the rapture begins the day of the Lord. There will probably be a pause in between--a time of preparation before the covenant is signed. However the two events are linked together in this passage. The day of the Lord will hit the world when least expected. It comes quickly and unannounced, as a thief attacks at night. It will take the world by surprise.
The day of the Lord will not be a surprise for God's children 5:4-8
Although the world will be surprised, God's children won't be surprised. Why won't it be a surprise for God's people? Paul indicates that we know the order of events as revealed in God's plan. That's why he relates the two events of chapters four and five to one another. Those who understand God's plan and see these events happening will understand the sequence as he announces it here.
A second reason why it won't surprise us is revealed in the contrast between "you" and "them" (5:2-3). You "know full well;" though they "are saying 'Peace and security.'" Destruction will come upon them suddenly. They shall not escape. "But you . . . ." Paul doesn't include himself, nor his Christian readers, in the day-of-the-Lord prophecy. He doesn't expect us to be part of it! This is a period when God reveals His anger against those who've rebelled against Him-not against His own beloved children!
A third reason why we're no taken by surprise is the main thought introduced in 5:4-8. Our nature is different from the people who experience God's judgment in that day. We're related to the day of the Lord. He paints the contrast between the unbelievers of that day who walk in darkness, and the believers who walk in the light. We walk in the light, while the world is in darkness.
We're not in the dark, so we shouldn't be surprised (4-5a). Those who live in the dark don't understand spiritual truth. They don't understand God's plan. They live in unbelief and moral confusion. So they're caught by surprise when God suddenly intervenes in history. We're not like them. We're not caught by surprise. We understand the plan!
Since we're not night people, we shouldn't sleep or get drunk (5b-7). Night people participate in night time activities. They become spiritually drowsy. They dose off and sleep. They drown their misery in alcohol and escape in drunkenness. Thus they're not alert to danger. By contrast, as God's people, we walk in the light. We belong to the day. We should be different!
Since we're day people, we should be sober and ready for battle (8). Since we're not part of the darkness, we shouldn't act like it! We shouldn't be sleepy and drunk, but alert and sober! Sleep isn't the position of readiness. Sleep belongs to the night. Snuggled down in the covers, wrapped up in our own warmth, we don't want to be awakened.
Before sleep overtakes us, drowsiness tugs at us. We waver between two worlds-- we yawn a lot and eventually close our eyes! To prevent spiritual snoozing, Paul warns us of the outcome of being unprepared. Unsaved people go about their lives, oblivious to the danger--lulled to sleep. They're more concerned about their own comfort, about living for pleasure and enjoying life!
By contrast we should live expectantly--ready for His coming (4:13-18). Since we walk in the light and know about God's program, we should live accordingly. We ought to live like well-protected, alert guards. We should prepare for conflict by putting on the spiritual breastplate that God has provided--the body shield that protects our heart. Paul tells us that shield is made of faith and love. We should also put on the helmet that protects our head--the confidence of our salvation. That will protect us when Satan begins to accuse us and when doubts cause us to question our relationship with the Lord.
In summary, Paul urges us to be sober. Our hearts should be shielded by faith and love. Our heads should be protected by the confidence of our salvation. Our lifestyle should be distinct.
The day of the Lord does not bring wrath for God's children 5:9-10
The day of the Lord is presented as a day of wrath. However, Paul assures us of what Scripture everywhere teaches: God's wrath is not designed for those who walk in the light (5:9). God's wrath is designed for those who walk in darkness--for those who resist God. God's wrath is for one kind of people; we are a different kind of people.
This is a good place to remind ourselves of the words of our Lord to John in Revelation 3:10. Not only are we protected from the outpouring of God's wrath that will come against those who have rejected Him in that day. We are even protected from the time when that judgment is delivered. God will "keep us from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world."
God has not designated us as the objects of judgment. God has designated us as the objects of salvation--to live together with Him. Whether we remain alive physically, or die physically, we're certain we will live with Him. Jesus died for us and rose again. We can be certain we will live with Him--whatever happens to this physical life. This knowledge isn't intended to make us lazy or complacent. It is intended to produce faith and hope in the midst of affliction and uncertainty.
This isn't a promise that we will never suffer for our faith. The Thessalonians understood what it feels like to be persecuted and afflicted. Paul warned Timothy that people who desire to live godly lives will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). The assurance that those who endure such affliction have is that we are on the winning side and in the end we will triumph with Him. We need never fear that day people will suffer the wrath of God which He will bring against the children of the night.
Result of the message 5:11
Since we have this certainty, we should continue to encourage one another. We ought to concentrate on building up one another. Since we're going to be spared God's judgment, we should come alongside each other to encourage us to be all that God wants us to be.
Those who are not trusting Christ as the source of eternal life--those who are still children of darkness--are warned that you may not see it coming! Satan wants to lull you to sleep. He wants you to feel comfortable. He wants us to focus on momentary pleasures.
In spite of strong popular opinion to the contrary, the world system can't guarantee peace and security! This week I was reading a commentary written in 1997--that's before 9/11, in case you'd forgotten! The writer attempted to convince his readers that we shouldn't put our confidence in government, nor in our sophisticated security systems. The World Trade Center had the best, most sophisticated security systems money could buy. Yet there was nothing they could do to provide security! Don't be lulled to sleep! Our only sure hope is Christ! Are YOU trusting Him? Watch out! There's a storm coming! Are YOU ready?
WORD TO BELIEVERS
Paul also addresses a word of warning to God's children-to those who walk in
the light. Satan also wants to lull us to sleep. He wants us to look like people who
are live in the darkness. Be alert! Are you ready for His coming?
We should live as people of the day, in the midst of the night. Paul urges us:
"Let us not be like others!"
"Let us not be like night people!"
"Let us be alert and sober!"
"Let us be self-controlled!"
"Let us live on the basis of faith, love, and hope!"
"Let us encourage one another" to become all God wants us to be!
"Let us build up one another!"
We aren't night people. We aren't destined for God's wrath. Therefore, we should live like day people--so that those around us will be attracted to the Light of the World!