1Thessalonians chapter 5
Previously
the subject was the hope of the believers, that the Lord Himself was coming/ is
coming to catch up the believers. Dead ones to be raised from death and living
ones transformed. All to be forever with the Lord.
Now
Paul the Apostle introduces “Times and seasons”
In
Acts 1, the Apostles asked the Lord “will you at this time restore the kingdom
to Israel?” He answered – “ It is not for you to know the times and seasons
that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power…..” So which mattered most? Prophetic knowledge
or power to live for Christ?
Verse
2 Paul does write about the Day of the
LORD (Jehovah, YHWH). Not so much the
detail of that great day or the signs, but rather the effect on those who are
waiting and watching for the Lord to return. The effect is godly living as
described in the remainder of the chapter.
If
he were writing to Jewish readers he could have referred them to the writings
of Daniel, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Isaiah, Malachi etc for details. But it seems
to me that he is referring them to the teaching of the Lord Jesus. Refer to Luke 17:26
A
brief summary:
The
Day of the LORD will be
1
the
vindication and manifestation of the LORD who revealed Himself to Moses and
prophets.
2 The overt declaration that
the Father sent SON to be the Saviour of the world
3 The final judgement of
satan and his forces
4 The judgement of the
nations – Parable of sheep and goats.
5 The great purging of
Israel producing a remnant and their restoration
It
begins with a persuasive leader proclaiming ‘peace and safety’ and reaches its
purpose with the full and final enthronement of the Lamb of God as King of
Kings and Lord of Lords. It will be a time of just judgement and none shall
escape.
Much
detail could be given, but Paul moves on to the effect .
Verse
4 “But you are not in the dark”
Christians
are made intelligent by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Christians
are invigorated to godly living as they wait for “God’s Son from heaven”.
Verse
6 “Therefore we are in the light, the day -
not stumbling in the dark. Having self control mingled with hope.
Verse
7 This world, this age, this society love the darkness so that they hide
from scrutiny. They like to live out
their sinful nature as unrestrained lust, lies, licentiousness, witchcraft,
idolatry.
Verse
8 The Believer in Jesus Christ has
protection for heart and head:
Faith in God, Faith in Jesus Christ.
Love from God, to God and to others
Understanding the great salvation of
hope made real by the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesu Christ.
Verse
9-11 The real comfort is found in
understanding God at work!
God, in all His Sovereign Providence,
has not destined believers in Jesus Christ to wrath (just anger against sin by
God), but has appointed them to be saved out of this world and from eternal
damnation. This is not wishful thinking, but has been achieved by the death and
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Just as He rose from the dead, so all believers
will be raised to live with HIM – ‘Praise the Lord”
What
a blessed hope!
What
an inspiration to sanctified living!
Verse
12 Before concluding this letter, Paul
asks them to notice those who take special care for the welfare of others.
Their supervisory spirit was to be respected for the sincerity of their purpose
– seeking to admonish and encourage in devotion to the Lord. Appointments to
overseer and servant work likely had not happened, but the work of shepherding
and serving was the outworking of Paul’s example and the leading of the Holy
Spirit.
Verse
14 -
the work of elders:
1
Warn
the disorderly
2
Cheer
up the lonely, depressed, discouraged
3
Support
the weak
4
React
to criticism and contention patiently
5
Restrain
revenge
6
Set
an example of love and grace
Verse
16 The
outcome of waiting, watching, working for the coming Lord
Rejoicing
Praying
Thankful
Listening, learning
Teachable
Diligent for truth
Holy
Verse
23 This is not a list of commandments
to be obeyed.. This is the outcome of letting God by His Holy Spirit work in
our spirits, our souls , our bodies, our
lives surrendered to Him.
He
can sanctify, as we let him. His love gives us free will.
Paul
restates the sanctifying effect of waiting, watching for the Lord – that we
might be without blame at His return.
Can
we truly sing “Even so come Lord Jesus
Even so come
today
Even so come Lord
Jesus
Catching thy
bride away
Oh how my heart is
yearning
Waiting for
Thy returning
Even so come Lord
Jesus
Even so come
today