Thriving in Chaotic Times: The Great Tribulation: I Thess. 5:1-11

I. What is the Day of the Lord? 1-2a

A. The day of the Lord, is a term used for God’s judgment through out the the Old Testament. It is alluded to in Genesis 3:8. But with every day of the Lord event there is the threat of judgment and the hope of salvation.

Genesis 3:8 NASB95

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

B. They didn’t need to know the time or epoch (season or occasion, or happening) of it, because they already had been taught on that. The day of the Lord that Paul is referring to is the second coming of Christ.

Acts 1:7 NASB95

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;

Revelation 19:11–19 NASB95

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

C. This is not to be confused with the rapture. These are two separate events, at least 7 years apart.

II. When Will the Day of the Lord Occur? vs. 2b-3

A. We cannot and will not know the date and time of both the rapture and the second coming of Christ (the day of the Lord).

Matthew 24:36 NASB95

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Matthew 24:44 NASB95

“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

B. It will take the lost world by surprise, but for those who are saved during the tribulation, they will know what is going on.

C. As for the rapture, we will not know when it will come, much like the thief in the night.

III. What Does the Day of the Lord Mean for Me? vs. 4-11

A. Because we are in the light, and not darkness, we need to be the light. That is we do not live carelessly or foolishly, but we live in the light of God’s Word.

Ephesians 5:15–16 NASB95

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

B. The breastplate of faith and love, show that we have to guard our heart, so that we don’t lose faith, or grow cold in our love. “‘Faith’ looks to the past when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Love’ is for the present, which is the relationship the believer should have with those around him. The ‘hope of salvation’ is that blessed hope of the future. We are not looking for the Great Tribulation period. I don’t see how there could be any rejoicing in that”- J. Vernon McGee.

C. Believers today won’t face the tribulation, but will be caught up in the rapture.

D. This will help us to be encouraged, and to encouraged one another.

E. All this will help those who will be saved during the tribulation, after the rapture to not lose heart.