Lesson 6
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for divine insight, spiritual eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to interpret, wisdom to apply, and hearts to obey. We pray for the presence and appointing of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-28, instructions, day of the Lord, doxology
VV 1-3, 1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
Greek for time is “chronos”, which means chronological times. Greek for seasons is “kairos”, which means seasonal time. The day of the Lord is the day of the Lord’s second coming. This can be broken down into three parts. The rapture, the 7-year tribulation, and Christ’s final return with Christians to set up His millennial kingdom on earth. The day of the Lord is imminent and will come at a time when it is least expected. It may come in a peaceful time or turbulent time.
VV 4-7, 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
Christians should not be ignorant over the second coming of Christ because we have Bible prophesies to guide us. We are to be vigilant, watchful, and updated with world events particularly in Israel and the Middle East. We are to interpret these events in the light of Bible prophecy.
VV 6-11, 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Paul encouraged his audience to be sober, to put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation. The heart is protected by the breastplate of righteousness through faith and love. The mind is protected by the helmet of salvation through justification by grace through faith in Christ. They were to comfort, encourage, and edify another other.
VV 11-13, 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Paul encouraged his audience to submit to those in ministry leadership positions and uphold them with high esteem in love for the sake of the kingdom. They were to live in harmony with each other.
VV14-15, 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Paul encouraged his audience to chastise those who behave badly, comfort and uphold the weak and be patient to all. They were not to repay evil by evil but do good to themselves and others.
VV 16-22, 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Paul encouraged his audience to rejoice always, pray persistently and give thanks to God for everything in prayer. Greek for quench is “sbennumi”, which means extinguish, or put out the fire. They were not to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit and not to despise Bible prophecies. They were to test all things, embraced good, and reject evil.
VV 23-28, 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In doxology, Paul prayed for God’s sanctification, preservation of body, soul, and spirit at the second coming of the Lord. Paul encouraged his audience to pray for him and his co-workers. He greeted them with a holy kiss. He charged them to read out this epistle in front of the congregation. He pronounced a blessing of grace to them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Application:
Paul’s instruction to his audience also applies to us. We are to be aware of Bible prophesy, world events, keep vigilant, and be ready for the rapture. We are to intercede, rejoice, embrace good, test all things, uphold the weak, submit to leadership, live in harmony, and be patient to all.
We must keep abreast with the world news in Israel and the middle east as things are happening very fast. We are to interpret current world events in the light of Bible prophecy. We are to live every day in anticipation of the rapture.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for sanctification, protection, and preservation of our bodies, souls, and spirits in anticipation of the rapture. Help us to be alert, vigilant over current world events and know how to interpret them in the light of Bible prophecy, in Jesus’ name, Amen.