A Study in 1 Thessalonians: Comfort in regards to the 2nd Coming of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
After discussing the 2nd coming of Jesus with the Thessalonians Paul tells them to comfort themselves and edify one another as they were already doing (1Thessalonians 5:11). We can do the same thing in regards to these matters. In this lesson we will look at some of the reasons for why we can have comfort even though we are in the night time and the Day of the Lord is at hand.
How do we know we are dealing with the 2nd Coming and not the Rapture:
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul was discussing the rapture of the Church. In chapter 5 the topic switches even though it may look like the same thing. In verse 2 we see the day of the Lord. The rapture is a part of the Day of the Lord but it is separated from the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ by 7 years. People get confused by the fact that there is a resurrection that will happen sometime right before the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ (Luke 17:32-37.) Many mistake the passage in Luke as the rapture but the context in Luke will plainly show it is a 2nd coming passage. Compare Luke 17:37 with Revelation 19:17-19 and it is easy to see that the passage in Luke is a 2nd coming passage and not a reference to the rapture of the church.
Also in verse 3 there are people saying peace and safety but then sudden destruction comes. The anit-christ during the tribulation will come in peace at first and conquer using peace (Daniel 11:21-24). For passage connecting sudden destruction to the tribulation see Joel 1,2 ; Isaiah 63 ; Matthew 24:16-19). The sudden destruction comes upon them as travail upon a woman with child. This is connected also with the Israel during the tribulation (Revelation 12:1-2 ; Isaiah 13:6-9)
In verse 9 we see that saved people from the church are not appointed unto wrath. The tribulation is God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth. Also at the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 19:15).
What should we do in regards to this day?
First of all note that the day should not overtake us as a thief in the night (verse 4). A saved person is not of the night nor of the darkness. Saved people will go up at the rapture, and they are not appointed unto this day of wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). So what can we do in regards to this day approaching.
1) Wake up (verse 6)
- This day is approaching and many saved people are not doing anything.
- Ephesians 5:14-17 is a great passage to go with this. According to this passage we are to redeem the time.
- If you are going to do anything for the Lord you had better get busy and stop messing around.
2) Look up (verse 6)
- Saved people are told in verse 6 to watch and be sober. Nothing will help us work for the Lord than to look everyday for his return (Hebrews 12:1-3).
3) Suit up (verse 8)
- To do something for God we need spiritual armor. Which is why we are to put on the breastplate of faith and love. And for a helmet the hope of Salvation. These pieces of armor point to the spiritual armor found in Ephesians 6:11-18.
- If we intend to redeem the time and comfort one another as well as do something for the Lord , we will only do it in his strength and with the spiritual armor he gives us.
What is our comfort concerning the day of the Lord being at hand?
Two verses from the passage give us comfort concerning the 2nd coming. In verse 4 we see that because we are not in darkness the day will not overtake us as a thief in the night.The second verse that gives us comfort concerning the 2nd coming is verse 9. According to this verse saved people are not appointed to God’s wrath. Both of these verses are comforting.
With this information we should comfort ourselves and edify one another. Saved person it will not be long and this life will pass away. When this takes place the only thing that will matter is what we have done for Jesus.
A Study in 1 Thessalonians
Comfort in regards to the 2nd Coming of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
Handout
1) What did Paul tell the Thessalonians to do in regards to the fact that the day of the Lord was coming?
2) How do we know this passage is the 2nd coming and not the rapture?
3) What can we do in regards to the day of the Lord being at hand?
4) What is our comfort in regards to the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ?