Chap 5_1st Thessalonians

OOOOOOOOOOOO 1 Thessalonians 5:1–4 (NIV84) Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

......2 Peter 3:10 (NIV84) 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

OOOOOOOOOOOO 1 Thessalonians 5:4–11 (NIV84) 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Those who are asleep or drunk are disengaged- they are not active nor doing. We are to be on the alert. We are to be disciplined and controlled. What happens to a sentry that is asleep - capital punishment in Roman times-

....9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. - commentators speak of this as God’s eternal wrath, the Day of the Lord...In the same way, God did not appoint, or destine, us to suffer his wrath. Wrath is the judgment of God upon unbelief. For the Christian, there is no fear of Christ’s appearing: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1) Also in these times,the Jews thought of the final wrath at end times. Also earlier Paul had promised that the church would undergo persecution. Pre trib believers belive that this wrath is referencing the persecution during the tribulation instead of the wrath resulting from not being saved.

…The Jews looked on this wrath as that prior to judgement asnd would fall upon the Gentiles and disobedient Jews- these two would both happen at the same judgement. time.

.....5:9 God did not appoint us for wrath Believers should not consider persecution to signify God’s wrath; faith and suffering are both part of the Christian life (Phil 1:29; 1 Thess 3:3).

....In this section Paul continued his discussion about the Lord’s return with particular emphasis on the meaning of the Day of the Lord. Since the Day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, bringing destruction on those who are spiritually insensitive, believers should maintain spiritual alertness

.....Rapure post- trib Sequence >1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (NIV84) 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

here are many outstanding theologians who do not believe in a Rapture.  Some of these include R.C. Sproul’s with Ligonier Ministries,  Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, and many outstanding Bible scholars. 

.................Sproul says that in his eschatological pilgrimage, he has fluctuated, at times being drawn to the amillennial position and at other times, the historic premillennial view. However, despite having given little credence to postmillennialism in the past, he says: “Yet to my surprise, I have found myself more and more attracted to an orthodox post-mill position

…Amill -.Matthew 16:27–28 (NIV84) 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

.....Matthew 24:33–35 (NIV84) 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

........>>2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (NIV84) The Man of Lawlessness 2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion [or apostacy] occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

....V3 rebellion [or apostacy] Apostasy is not backsliding in the sense of a temporary lapse in Christian practice. Nor is it a denial of Christ in a moment of weakness, such as Peter’s failure at the time of Jesus’ arrest (Luke 22:31–34, 54–62; cf. John 21:15–19; see BACKSLIDING; DENIAL; TEMPTATION). Rather it is the deliberate rejection of the faith that a person once professed to have in Christ. It is a sin that the Bible severely warns against, for apart from Christ there can be no salvation. If a person has deliberately renounced Christ, there is no other way of salvation available to him. He has disowned and shamed Christ by an action similar to that of those who crucified him (Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–29

Hebrews 10:26–29 HCSB

For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. If anyone disregards Moses’ law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

…word is to forsake or stand apart

So in the midst of differing opionons what do we know.

1.For non-christians the rapture will come as a thief. For believers there are signs for the final rapture - a falling away, man of lawlessness

2. The dead will rise first.

2. we are to be ever vigilant.

The Bible is supposed to help us understand God and His plan. the Holy Spirit is supposed to help us. Why is this topic which is so interesting to us, remain vague and confusing. If we thought the rapture is coming any second as the new church did, some would not work or take on long term commitments [ why go to college eor study 3-4 years in a seminary if the rapture is immanent. Or if rapture is coming soon, there is not enough time to learn and sacrifice for missionary outreach..] On the other hand if it is no coming for 100’s or 10000’s of years is there any rush to get your ducks in a row. Remember, in the 1- 300 years of the early church, people were putting off baptism so there ongoing sins would not be accounted to them. The legend says that Constantine put off his baptism until almost on his death bed.

In summary, I am to be ever ready, abiding in the word and repentance, prepared to share the gospel

....whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. We are to look out for not only ourselves but to encourage others. Don’t let up - persevere in who you now are and whose you are.

OOOOOOOOOOOO 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 (NIV84) Final Instructions 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. He says to repect other co workers, but also superiors and accept their admonishment [ to caution - be didligent in warning or even scold ] don’t just look our for yourself

...14 And we urge the word exhort - to urgently and strongly act. Don’t be passive. Many pastors don’t listen to counsel, elders, board, or flock. You are to help them by seeing that they stay on track

most of the final instructions warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Are in taking care of the other church brethren

Then Paul talks about your own attitude and actions. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Of these gratitude is not one of achievement or progress, but it always promotes who you are and who Christ

19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

OOOOOOOOOOOO 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (NIV84) 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Prays for God personally sanctify you completely. Not done by proxy or angels, or pastors, but God himself. And all of you body, soul, spirit be kept blamess [in obediance, conduct, speeck, etc. awaiting the coming of the Lord.

Make sure that this letter is read to all.

Final blessing