1 Thessalonians 5:1-11The Day of the LordWednesday, October 24, 2001
Introduction
In 1 Thess. 4:13-18 the Holy Spirit, through Paul, taught us of the rapture. Do you remember what was said in that passage? Here's a review:
1. The Thessalonians were ignorant regarding the destiny of those who had already died in Christ (v. 13).
2. The basis for the future resurrection of all believers is the accomplished resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 14).
3. The resurrection of all church-age believers will happen at the rapture. At this marvelous point in time coalesce the doctrines of a) what happens to the spirit at death (Jas. 2:26, 2 Cor. 5:8); b) the resurrection (Job 19); c) the Lord's coming for His saints (John 14:2-3).
4. The timeline of the rapture is given.
5. The acceptance of this truth, in faith, provides comfort in the face of the loss of fellow believers to physical death.
Chapter 5 continues in this context, so we must remember where we've been to help us understand where we're going. This whole section ties into the phrase "others which have no hope" in 4:13.
Paul gives us instruction regarding the events immediately following the rapture, called the "Day of the Lord."
1. Regarding the Definition of the Day (vv. 1-2)
Another commendation of the Thessalonians. Remember they received the gospel (1:5-10), they received the word of God (2:13), evidenced their faith and love (3:6), remembered the commandments given by Paul regarding sanctification and love (4:2, 9). They know about the timing of the Day of the Lord—that is, they cannot set a date for it.
Times (chronos) are periods of time and seasons (kairos) are fixed occasions, or specific times for appointed events.
But what is this Day of the Lord? It is not a 24-hour time period but rather has a "chronos" aspect (a time duration) and a "kairos" aspect (an appointed time when it starts). Consider the following timeline, with time moving forward from top to bottom:
Time
(Prophetic) Event /Dan 9:24-27
Restore and build Jerusalem / 7 SevensIncarnation / 62 Sevens
Crucifixion
Ascension / Intercalatial Period,
Parenthesis, Interregnum
Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost
Church Age
Rapture
7 year tribulation / 70th Seven / Day of the Lord
2nd Coming of the Lord
1000 year Millennial Kingdom
New Heavens and New Earth
How do we know the Day of the Lord includes the tribulation, 2nd coming, and 1000 year kingdom? Check out the following verses:
1. Zech. 14:1-4 – The Lord's Second Coming is included in that day.
2. 2 Peter 3:10 – in that day the heavens shall pass way with a great noise
The verse we are studying now, 5:2 also tells us that the day comes as a thief. There is one sign-less event that it could be associated with—and that is the rapture. The end of the tribulation will be preceded by all kinds of signs, so the Day could not come at the end of that period. And we know that the church is not involved because of the rest of this passage. Thus we conclude as the diagram shows.
2. Regarding the Destruction of the Day (v. 3)
The destruction will follow on the heels of a time where peace and security are proclaimed, presumably on a global scale. On the surface things may seem fine, but under it all the Day of the Lord's wrath is almost ready to reach a boil. When it does, destruction will be sudden.
We can glean several things from the illustration of the pregnant woman:
1. The start of the Day is sudden, as labor pains suddenly come, at any moment.
2. The Day will be painful, as is labor and delivery.
The end of verse three contains a very emphatic statement ouj mhV which is a double-negative. In Greek, the double negatives do not cancel each other out; instead, the one intensifies the other. The idea is that there is no escape—"not no way, not no how." So we might add a third facet of the illustration:
3. The start of the Day is inevitable, much as labor is inevitable for a woman who is pregnant. The difference is, she knows she is pregnant; "they" do not. There is no no way out of it.
3. Regarding the Distinction in Natures (vv. 4-5)
The clear distinction is made between children of light and children of darkness. A child (uJioiV) is not simply a descendant; more, he shows character and relationship to the person he is the son of. In this case particularly, being the "son" of an abstract concept (light or darkness) indicates that the person takes on the character of his "father."
As a result of the believer's being brought out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9), the Day of the Lord should not surprise him! Why? Doesn't the man who knows the thief is coming make preparations? While the time element is unknown, no harm will "overtake" such a one. In other words, children of darkness will be overtaken and not able to escape; children of light are already ready.
4. Regarding the Difference in Conduct (vv. 6-8)
Being a child of the light demands that we behave differently. Eph. 5:8 says "For we were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light."
Sleepers and drunkards, verse 7 says, do their business at night. This is what we see today in city "nightlife."
Paul gives us ways to conduct ourselves: watch, be sober, and put on our spiritual armor. The breastplate—perhaps to guard your heart. The helmet, your head. Not only is this armor a remedy for sorrow like in 4:13, but also keeps us from many other foolish things. Notice faith, hope, and love.
5. Regarding the Deliverance From Wrath (vv. 9-11)
One of the clear Biblical texts proving the pre-tribulation rapture. We are not appointed (destined) for wrath but instead to receive salvation. This salvation is diaV through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that we might have this assurance.
Thus, comfort and edification are to be made one to another. Notice how this wraps up the context from 4:13. First, there is the hope of resurrection. Second, the hope of deliverance from wrath. No reason to sorrow here! WOW!!!
Conclusions
Can you imagine the world scene when the church is whisked away, political leaders are proclaiming peace, and then the bottom drops out? What darkness (Amos 5:18-20).
Paul follows up the darkness of the day of judgment with the metaphor of daylight and darkness in the present scene. How would one tell the difference between a child of darkness and one of light anyway? Try Php. 2:15 and instead of partaking in "night life", be a "night light." We have a real hope in Christ Jesus. Count on it. MAP