Genuine Christianity - Studies in 1 Thessalonians - 12
Be Ready
In this study we look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 1 to 11. Paul finished chapter 4 with teaching on the second coming of Christ. He continues with this theme in this passage of scripture. Here Paul deals with another question that the believers had about the second coming. They were concerned that they would be truly ready for him when he appeared.
The truth of the second coming is wonderful but it can also be disconcerting. If a member of the Royal family was coming to visit your home you'd tidy up and try and get it as spotless as possible. You'd be worried that your special visitor might pick up some dirt or dust. Christ is the spotless saviour. You might be thinking like the Thessalonians, "If I knew the exact date of his coming, then I could make sure that he finds me just as he wants me to be ". You might be worried that when he comes you will be rejected. God encourages us in this passage. The Lord tells us what we need to know about the coming of the Lord. We can't know when Christ will come again. We read in Mark chapter 13 verse 32, "No-one knows that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." It isn't for us to know. Jesus said in Acts 1 verse 7, "it is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority"
There are two things we can know. First, his coming is sudden and unexpected. Verse 2 says, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night". The thief never announces his visit. Jesus said in Matthew 24 verse 50, "The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of". You must always be watchful.
Second, the Lord's coming will be sudden and unavoidable. There is no prior warning, and there is no escape. Verse 3 says, "While people are saying, 'Peace and safety', destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape". When pregnancy has started labour pains are inevitable, and unavoidable. It has to happen. So Christ's coming has to happen to finally rid the world of sin and give birth to the new heaven and new earth that will be full of righteousness. It is interesting that just before the Lord does appear there will be a lot of talk about peace and safety.
We hear a lot about this today. It is only recently that nations have been discussing the safety of our planet which is under threat because of pollution and global warning The coming of the Lord draws near! The Lord tells us what we need to know about our conduct as we wait for his coming.
Paul uses some vivid imagery to teach us what we should be like. We read in verses 4 and 5, "But you brothers are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light". In verse 6 and 7 he says, "Let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who get drunk, get drunk in the night". The unsaved are caught unawares because they are in darkness, in the night of sin's blackness. They are sleeping so totally inattentive. They are drunk and more concerned with physical pleasures than spiritual realities.
Christian friend, Christ has brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light. As verse 5 says, "You are all sons of the light and sons of the day". In other words, as believers, you should be living a disciplined life in control of your faculties, alert, aware, awake. In fact, you will be like a soldier on active service. We read in verse 8, "Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breast-plate and the hope of salvation as an helmet." The breast-plate covers the heart. Your heart will be full of love for God and faith in his word. The helmet of the hope of salvation covers the head. Our minds will be full of thoughts about Christ's coming. A mind fixed on heaven will shape our thinking so that we live our lives by heaven's standard.
Jesus said in Matthew chapter 6 verse 10, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." It will be done in our lives as we live in the light of the near return of the Lord. We read in Ephesians chapter 5 verse 14, "Wake, O sleeper, rise from the dead." To be ready for the Lord's return means getting out of your pyjamas and into your armour!
The Lord tells us what we need to know to bring comfort to our hearts as we think about the second coming of Christ. Remember the concern that these believers had about being ready when Jesus, the glorious perfectly holy Saviour, appears.
Maybe you are conscious of your own sins and failings. You may ask, "how will I go on when 1 stand before the Judgement seat of Christ?". Verse 9 says, "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Your sin has been dealt with - all of them, past present and future. Verse 10 says, "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him"
Awake or sleep in this verse means whether we are physically alive or dead when He comes, we will be with Him. Our sin was punished in Christ. That is why He died for us to bear our judgement so we could be free from sins condemnation. You must confess your sin and forsake it. We read in 1 John l verse 9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
The second coming may fill you with some apprehension. But do not be anxious. He's on your side. He died for you so you would be with him, and not be dismissed from him. He's no longer your Judge but your heavenly Father. Paul says in verse 11, "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing". We need to support each other as we wait for the lord. He is coming to release you from all sin and the evil of this fallen world. Look forward to it. Do not have a fearful apprehension. He's coming so that you will be with Him.