The Coming of the LORD

 

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