Concerning the Times and Seasons

Introduction:

Paul now turns his attention to a new topic.

We know that we are to anticipate a future event, the coming of the Lord.

That day we highly anticipate (see 1 Thess. 1:9), but it also spells doom for others.

There is a certain, physical end to the world that will be on God’s timetable.

These verses serve as a reminder as well as a warning.

There are things we can know and things we cannot know.

Paul’s teaching depends upon Jesus’ own teaching, but his point differs slightly.

Mt. 24:36-51.

An Informational Advantage

Paul addresses a question he has given them instruction about previously.

The phrase “times and seasons” appears to be a shorthand, a hendiadys, related to the “Day of the Lord.” (see 1 Thess. 5:2).

It might be be about determining the nearness of the Lord’s coming.

Jesus is the only one to use this terminology in Acts 1:7.

The Thessalonians did not have need for Paul to write.

See the closest example in 1 Thess. 4:9.

See also 1 Thess. 1:8; 4:12.

The Thessalonians have accurate knowledge (1 Thess. 5:2).

We know the Day of the Lord will happen even though we do not know exactly when it will happen.

Unbelievers do not live in light of this information.

Remember the gospel 1 Thess. 1:9-10.

Differences Between Peoples

We know the “Day of the Lord” is coming in the same way as a thief in the night.

Notice the inherent irony in this: we know something is coming like someone who enters clandestinely.

Suddenly, in 1 Thess. 5:3, Paul assumes a “they.”

“They say: peace and safety.”

In what context are we to understand this phrase? What is under consideration? Peace and safety from whom or what?

Consider Jer. 6:14ff.

Especially Ezek. 13:1-16.

The unbelieving world will be convinced it has nothing to fear from “the Day of the Lord.”

Notice destruction happens to them suddenly.

Paul compares it to the sudden onset of birthpangs.

They will not escape.

But, Paul says, we are not in darkness that the day should overtake us like a thief.

Preparedness for the day of the Lord is both informational and spiritual which means behavioral.

The blindness of unbelievers to the reality of the Day of the Lord is more than an ignorance of information. It is a moral blindness caused by their immorality.