1 st st and 2 nd Thessalonians Lesson 7 1 Thes. 5:1- Review Purpose & Timing A young church facing very strong Jewish opposition Paul was unable to return to them to strengthen and teach them As he writes in 2:18, Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again-- --but Satan hindered us. He also wanted to reassure them of his concern for them Didn t want them to think he had abandoned them Or, that he was not aware of the struggles they were going through 1
Review - Themes Some major themes of the letters Their faith appreciation and concern The Day of the Lord Sanctification exhortations unto holiness Guidance for a young church Review When, Where? 2
Review Some Lessons So Far Paul begins the letter boosting their spirit and instilling confidence. Do we do this with one another? Do we have faith, love, and hope that are active? Paul was a model of boldness. Are we bold in our approach with the gospel today? We should walk worthy of our calling. Live in a way that gives honor to our God. Let us be constant in prayer and thanksgiving to God. Review Some Lessons So Far Are we living lives of holiness? We have been separated unto God and should live like it. We should be excelling (abounding) in our walk with God. Don t be satisfied with where you are. Grow! Strive to do more to please God. Whether we die before He returns or are living at the time, all who believe have a wonderful hope of life eternal with our Lord. 3
Introduction Old Testament - Christ is coming! Gen. 49:10; Deut. 18:15 Gospels affirm that He came God was manifest in the flesh Jn. 1:1-2,14 The epistles tell us that Christ is coming again! Introduction How is Christ coming? It will be visible, audible, and with great power and glory Why is Christ coming? NOT to: Set up his kingdom on the earth Restore Judaism Give sinners another chance IS to: Raise the dead Destroy the world Judge mankind Deliver the kingdom back to God Receive the faithful into an eternity with Him 4
Introduction When is Christ coming? A question Paul addresses in today s passage The really key question is: Are you ready for the Lord s return? 5
Key Lessons The question we need to be most concerned about is not when shall the Lord return, but are we ready for the Lord s return? Being prepared for Christ s coming involves the very practical aspects of watchfulness as well as faith, hope, and love. We can know false prophets and their false teaching by their failed prophecies. Many have futilely tried to predict the Lord s return. Discussion 5:1- the day of the Lord Described occasions when God acted in judgment upon Israel or the nations Isa. 13:1,6,9 the overthrow of Babylon Jer. 46:10 the defeat of Egypt Joel 1:15; 2:1,; 3:14 the devastation of Israel by a locust plague Zeph. 1:7-8 destruction of Judah How used here In a similar way, only here it will be the final judgment 6
Discussion 5:1- The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night Thief kleptes a stealer, a thief Does a thief announce his visit? Will be sudden and unexpected Other figure - Labor pains upon a pregnant woman unpredictable, sudden, no stopping it Discussion 5:1- Return of the Lord predictions Interactive Bible website >200 failed predictions: http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm Some of the more recent ones: 1792 the Shaker movement 1794 Charles Wesley (Methodist) 1890 Joseph Smith (Mormons) 1850, 1856 (and other dates) Ellen White (7 th Day Adventist) 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975 and 1994 Watchtower Society 1995 David Koresh (Branch Davidian) died in the compound fire in 1993 1999 Nostradamus And they continue 2012? 7
Discussion 5:1- Why the predictions? to motivate t their followers the notoriety and attention deluded into thinking they were a prophet sought to profit from it How does the passage refute such attempts? you know it will be unexpected thief in the night not predictable Peace and safety! not when predicted Sudden destruction - they shall not escape Spiritual contrast of light and darkness Light Knowledge, revelation, purity Daytime, awake, sober, aware, watchful, comforting Heaven a place of continual day (Rev. 21:23-25) 25) Saints are described as sons of light (Jn. 12:36), children of the Father of lights (Jms Jms. 1:17), and soldiers arrayed in the armor of light (Rom. 13:12). Darkness Ignorance, evil, deception, hidden hdd Nighttime, unaware, drunken, asleep, fearful Hell a place of outer darkness (Mt. 25:30) Darkness is a symbol of all that is evil and corrupt. It represents both the state and the conduct of those who are alienated from God. Jn. 3:19; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8-8
Discussion 5:1- How can they be best prepared? Should not sleep should not be unaware Watch and be sober should be ready Breastplate of faith and love, helmet of the hope of salvation Practical application Discussion 5:1- Different ways sleep is used V. 6-7 let us not sleep as others do Ties in with the imagery of light and darkness, awareness and unawareness, preparedness or lack thereof others are the unprepared - will be caught sleeping in the day of judgment V. 10 whether we wake or sleep brings back original issue addressed in 4:13 Those who have died in the Lord Will live eternally with the Lord whether already died when He returns or whether still alive 9
Discussion 5:1- Use again of us and we Paul includes himself in what they should be Togetherness, a sharing in the challenges Paul no different from them in what they must do to be ready for the Lord s return This makes the admonitions much easier to receive, and it helps them to see Paul s very personal concern for them Discussion 5:1- What it means to appoint in v. 9 appointed tithemi i to place; appoint, conceive, purpose God did not purpose that mankind should suffer His wrath. He has always desired they love Him and serve Him Thessalonians were not called out of the world only to suffer eternally because they were unprepared Not suggesting Thessalonians eternal destiny is either set or guaranteed 10
Discussion 5:1- How this helps them to comfort one another Better rendering - encourage or exhort They need encouragement and building up in the face of the persecutions Whoever trying to shake their faith ignore Get past the doubts and confusion just as you also are doing - so effective in writing in such a way to make them more palatable and easy to receive Key Lessons The question we need to be most concerned about is not when shall the Lord return, but are we ready for the Lord s return? Being prepared for Christ s coming involves the very practical aspects of watchfulness as well as faith, hope, and love. We can know false prophets and their false teaching by their failed prophecies. Many have futilely tried to predict the Lord s return.
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