If you have lived long enough, you have probably been taken by surprise. It may have been a very good surprise, such as an incredible job offer, a marriage proposal, a birth announcement. Or, it may have been a very horrible surprise, such as a sudden accident, a natural disaster, the death of a loved one.
There is a group of people, scattered across America, who are called as a class "preppers", because they are fixated on "being ready for anything". They store up provisions and make emergency plans. Many of these are Christians, who say, "God is the best prep." Amen to that! These people have made ready; they do not want to be unpleasantly surprised.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is a passage which directly follows Paul's teaching about the return of Jesus Christ for His Church, His Body, His Bride --- choose whichever name for believers that you prefer. We read yesterday morning that the bodies of believers, those both dead and alive, will be suddenly taken off of (or out of) the earth. Now, Paul immediately follows that teaching by expounding upon the theme of The Day of the Lord.
1Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thess. 5:1-11 NIV)
What is that - - - The Day of the Lord? Biblegateway.com has a topical page of verses listed, all of which pertain to this topic. You can find it here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?search=%22day%20of%20the%20Lord%22&version1=9&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no
This well-known phrase had been spoken of by many O.T. prophets, most notably Isaiah, Zephaniah and Joel. In every case, taken in context, the phrase was used to describe horrendous judgment from God on His enemies. That last word is key: His enemies.
Some of the characteristics of that day of judgment are as follows:
- The recipients - - - the proud and "lofty"; sinners; His adversaries; the heathen; the rulers/kings and their families; all those who wear strange clothing (foreigners); the mighty man; those who trust in their wealth
- The event - - - destruction; fierce anger; will make the land desolate; a day of vengeance; much blood; many terrors; a day of battle; the sun will be made dark and the moon to look like blood just before the great and terrible day comes; darkness will cover the earth; great noise; great heat/fire.
- Dual Fulfillment - - - occasionally this term was used in the O.T. to describe impending, localized judgment on the Jews' enemies of that day. (An example of this was Isaiah 13:1-6.)
So, what can we make of all this?
- First of all, it is clear we are being told about two distinct events, although one follows the other. The believers are "snatched out" (raphazo) of the earth, prior to its almost total destruction on the Day of the Lord. Some, including my friend who has put forth the massive, worldwide earthquake paradigm at the time of The Rapture, believe that the chaos resulting from the Rapture will usher in the Great Tribulation and/or the Day of the Lord. (Joel 2:31)
- Second, the Day of the Lord is clearly a judgment on God's enemies, not on the Church. Paul clearly states in 1 Thess. 5:9 - - that believers are not destined for this judgment.
- It will happen quickly and unexpectedly. God's enemies will believe that they are living safe and secure, and then sudden destruction (vs. 3) will come on them.
- As believers, we must be watchful and be ready for the Lord's return for us. (vs. 9-11). These verses hearken back to the end of chapter 4, when Paul tells the believers that they will be spared the Day of the Lord. They/we will be gone! We will be with our Lord Jesus.
- As believers, we must warn the lost while we can, so that some of them might accept Jesus as Savior and thereby escape this judgment.
Last Sunday, we were rehearsing the first dramatic production our church has produced in several years. The drama ministry has been resurrected, and I'm so glad. It can be such a valuable tool in spreading the gospel! At any rate, those of us in the cast had finished a particularly emotional rehearsal. The play is about the last days and is titled, "Suddenly!" The question was asked, "but there WILL be opportunities for the lost to get saved during the Tribulation period, won't there?" Our pastor, who is in the cast, said that he believes that Jews will be saved during the Tribulation period, but that, because the Holy Spirit, who lives in the hearts of believers, will have been removed from the earth, it will be unlikely that many people will be saved during this terrible period of judgment upon the earth.
It is a sobering thought, one that should compel us to pray and witness to those who have rejected Jesus Christ, in an effort to see them become converted - - move from darkness into light, as Paul mentioned in verses 4 and 5. None of us knows when these events will occur, nor should we dwell on that point. The early Christians believed that this would happen in their lifetimes. We should live with that same belief. Only God knows the day or the hour, Jesus said. WHEN is not the point. How we live and spread the gospel in the meantime is what we should be focusing on.
Dear Father, Your Son told us: "in this world you will have troubles, but cheer up! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). I am so grateful that, although our lives will not be trouble-free, we believers will not have to undergo The Day of the Lord. Thank you for giving Your Son so that any person who believes on Him can move from darkness into Light, from death into Life, from eternal destruction and hell into rescue and redemption. In Jesus' name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment