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1 Thessalonians 5 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
I want to follow up on what I wrote yesterday from 1 Thessalonians 4 with some similar thoughts here in Chapter 5. In the previous chapter, Paul encourages believers to not fear death, but recognize that we will be resurrected with Christ either at death or when He returns. Now, in Chapter 5, Paul outlines for us The Day of The Lord.
The Day of the Lord is mentioned 19 times in the Old Testament and 4 times in the New Testament. It is also referred to as the ‘day of doom’ and centers around judgment. By studying the sweep of Scripture, we know it to be the end of the Tribulation period when Christ comes like a thief in the night to judge the ungodly.
Similar to what Paul writes here in Thessalonians, Peter outlines what the Day of the Lord will be like…
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:10 NASB
However, the most important theme of these verses is not the timing or order of these events! Paul warns the Thessalonians (and us) against this type of thinking in his opening verse.
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 NASB
What was the point? Many people read these passages and try to figure them out instead of reading what comes after these statements. In both Thessalonians and 2 Peter, there is a response that should occur from this knowledge. And no, it’s not figuring out the timeline of events. Here it is…
so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 NASB
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness
2 Peter 3:11 NASB
Let’s all be honest. We’re all guilty of neglecting our own conduct in favor of dissecting a timeline of events.
We have the comfort of Christ and do not fear death, therefore, how are we living? Are you wasting time speculating conspiracy theories, or are you actually living a sober, holy, and righteous life? Are you worried about things that God’s already taken care of? Are you sharing the good news with others through both word and action? Paul also mentions putting on spiritual armor and encouraging one another. If we are mature Christians, when the Holy Spirit speaks these mysteries to us, how does our conduct change? That is the real question.
We know how the story ends. We have our mission in front of us. God help us to read your Word and respond in sober-minded worship through our daily lives!