Last Judgment (6)
Notes
Transcript
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 (NIV84)
1 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. 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.
Do you recall what happened on November 22nd, 1963? Those of us who are 64 years old or older do not need a reminder of this historic date in world history and especially in American history. It was the day that the president of the United State, JFK, was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in the streets of Dallas, TX.
Do you recall what happened on January 28th, 1986? It was the day that the space shuttle Challenger exploded with millions of people watching on TV.
A more recent (although it has been over 20 years ago already) memorable event was September 11th, 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
But do you recall what happened on Monday, November 18th, 1985? Hint. It has to do with verse 3 of our text. “Labor pains came suddenly on a pregnant woman.” Well, if that was your wife about to give birth to your first child, you would remember it. Otherwise, probably not.
These are just some of the events in our lives that have had an impact on us and it seems that our lives were going to be changed forever.
What do they all have in common?
They all came as a surprise. Well the birth of our daughter was expected but not necessarily the next day.
The major ones were reported ad nauseam by the media.
They all did have at least a temporary impact on people’s psyche and sense of what is peaceful and safe.
Key events in history are not limited to our lifetime or to our culture. Students of history can list a great number of world changing events that have happened in the past
On a much smaller scale, a popular post game NFL show was called “Turning Point”. After a particularly tense football game, analysts would dissect the game and point to the one play that made the difference between winning and losing. Unfortunately for Packers fans, it often involves the last pass thrown by the Packers quarterback resulting in an incomplete pass or an interception.
The Bible has its share of turning points and key events that took place during which God intervened in his history and brought about dramatic changes for the world as a whole or for the people of history.
Examples?
Creation
The Flood
The calling of Abraham
The Exodus
Building of the temple and its later destruction.
The most pivotal turning points in history will be celebrated in December and the Spring of the year. The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our western calendar recognized this when its creators decided to number the years before or after the birth of Jesus even though modernists have moved away from that. Not by renumbering the years but by changing the references from BC and AD to BCE and CE.
After those pivotal events, there have been other key dates in Christian history. As Lutherans we can’t help but point to October 31st, 1517.
At some point in time, there will be no more key dates in history or turning points in football games, or significant changes in our own lives as we progress through the years. That point in time will mark the end of time. St. Paul refers to that future day as “The Day of the Lord”. Research.
This phrase is found 24 times in the Bible from both testaments. St. Paul refers to it here without going into much detail what will happen. Peter explains it further.
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 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. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Both encourage their fellow Christians and us to be prepared for this future event so we are not caught by surprise and ruined.
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.
Although St. Paul and others say that for many it will come as a surprise (like a thief in the night), God does not want us to be surprised. He wants us to be “in the know” so that we are ready for that day through constant vigilance in our lives so he gives us reminders and tells us how to live in preparation.
But do we? The many warnings by St. Paul, St. Peter, and Jesus should serve as stark reminders that if we don’t remain vigilant, we too could fall prey to being unprepared. Therefore, they encourage us to “Keep Watch” and give instructions on how to do that.
This past week I thought that come Saturday morning at sunrise, a lot of deer in Wisconsin are going to face a pivotal event in their lives. Those nice men and women who had been feeding them and taking pictures of them are going to shoot at them and many will be killed. They may have a recollection of what happened last year (It certainly seems like the old bucks which were so evident the week before disappear on opening day), but for many it will come as a surprise. As I was writing this on Saturday morning, I could hear gunshots to the southwest.
But that day will not come as a surprise for the hunters. I saw a post on Facebook on Friday that gun deer season opens in Wisconsin at sunrise on Saturday. Who doesn’ know this? It is an event hundreds of thousands have been preparing for earnestly.
Of greater news would be “Jesus is returning SOON!” May we be prepared for this final event.