I Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord is the Return of Jesus while the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture and Resurrections of the saints. These are two different events.
On the Day of the Lord Jesus returns with ten thousands of His saints. See Jude Chapter One. His foot touches Mt. Olives and the mountain splits in half. See Acts Chapter One and Zechariah 14:4
- Jude 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
- Zechariah 14:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
Conversely, the Day of Christ the saints meet the Lord in the air. See 1 Thessalonians 4:17
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
- Acts 1:9-12 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet (Mt. Olives), which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.
The Day of the Lord
I Thessalonians 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
I Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord (the Return of Jesus) so comes as a thief in the night.
Mark 13:32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
I Thessalonians 5:3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
These words refer to the middle of the seven year tribulation when the Antichrist betrays the Jews and attacks Jerusalem. See Isaiah 21.
The Rapture and Return are bookend on each side of the seven year tribulation in the pattern of the Jewish Feast of the High Holy Days:
I Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
BUT! … The flipside is …the saints should know and be prepared.
I Thessalonians 5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
When the days are dark, walk in the Light. The darker the days are the brighter the Light becomes.
I Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be (self-controlled) sober.
Choosing to engage in sin and not pursue the goal of being “Christ-like” becomes an abomination if it is called “Grace”.
I Thessalonians 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
In both cases, the person is clueless.
I Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
BUT! … The flip side is …the saints are sober, not in darkness but walking in the Light, fitted with the faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
I Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Seven Year Tribulation is called “The Day of Wrath”, “The Day of the Lord’s Wrath”, as well as other names. See Topic: Names of the Seven Year Tribulation
Believers are not appointed to the Day of Wrath, therefore; it confirms a pre-tribulation rapture after the pattern of the High Holy Days.
I Thessalonians 5:10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Whether we are alive, or in the grave, we know we will live together with Him at the Day of Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort (encourage) each other and edify (build one another up) one another, just as you also are doing.
We need each other in these days of prophetic fulfillment. The days of darkness are no longer on the horizon but they hover above our heads. As brothers and sisters we are one in the Lord and one in a family. We are circling the wagons and covering each others backs.
Various Exhortations
I Thessalonians 5:12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish (instruct or warn) you,
Where are the shepherds of the churches who teach end times? They have faded into the woodwork, leaving the work to television evangelists. The church is a mile wide and an inch deep.
I Thessalonians 5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Those who warn us are rare, valuable and are to be esteemed highly.
I Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort (encourage) you, brethren, warn those who are unruly (insubordinate or idle), comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
I Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. See the pain in another person’s eyes. understand their actions, and forgive; vengeance belongs to the Lord.
I Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,
God loves to turn the tables on Satan for your sake. When problems come, if we handle them in a godly manner, God will promote us. Rejoice in the promotion to come.
I Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
Pray in the mornings and in the evenings. Pray on your knees, in your head, while driving, in the darkness and in the rain. Pray with gratitude: sing and praise him.
I Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 8:28 For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
I Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench (restrict) the Spirit.
How can the Spirit of God be quenched? By fearing the opinions of others, by sinning in disobedience of God’s word, by encouraging others and not throwing water to put out the enthusiastic fire that God has sparked.
I Thessalonians 5:20 Do not despise prophecies.
Do not be judgmental in the work that God does in others. Not everyone has the same gifts.
I Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Test yourself first and hold each doctrine against the plumb line of God’s word…not the plumb line of the church.
I Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.
“Evil has no consideration in which to acknowledge its sin and no intention of being other than what it is. Its darkness has no open doors to light. Men sin, but evil is demonic. Evil has no capability to repent. Sin can be forgiven, evil cannot. Evil, pretending to be light, drives to insanity. Evil can only be cast out by the Son of God. Jesus died to forgive men of their sin, not to forgive demons of their evil.” ~Barbara Grover
“Be wise as a serpents and harmless as doves.”~Jesus the Christ.
Don’t be naive in your innocence. Evil leads all those around it down the path of insanity who are without the covering and protection of God. Pray for discernment.
Blessing and Admonition
I Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely (set you apart, make you holy); and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
It is decided and it is done.
I Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
I Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
A “holy” kiss is not a prelude to a betrayal.
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