TEACHING 5/ 1 Thes. 5:1-11
This is teaching 5 for our Discipleship Hour/ Home Groups on 1 Thessalonians.
In Chapter 5 Paul will encourage the church by reminidng them that they have been taught well about prophetic things that involved the last days. In a sense, Christians have been living in the “last days” since Christ ascended to Heaven after His ressurection. This is the final age of man, and for the last 2000 years we have been living in these “last days” awaiting the return of Christ. While we have been living in the days of “man” for some time now, soon Jesus will return and the days of the “Lord” will start. Jesus will rescue His people, judge the world for their injustice and betrayal of God, and usher in His kingdom of goodness, with His people forever.
Ancient theatre in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5 Now, brothers and sisters, 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 and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children 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 awake and sober. 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 sober, 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.
Lets check out a few phrases found in this passage for a better understanding.
“times and dates (seasons)” While we don’t know the exact time of Christ return, scripture teaches us to udnerstand the times we live in and the season of our present culture. Jesus criticized the religious leaders in Matthew 16:1-3 for not being aware of the times and seasons. In the same way we should puruse a study of scritpure that helps us to be ready for Jesus return, understanding that its near. It is always a good default strategy for us to assume the coming of Christ is VERY NEAR, and to be ready.
“peace and safety” This phrase tells us that Jesus will return at a time when everyone feels like there is peace and safety. This contradicts Matthew 24:15-35, where Jesus describes a time of turmoil when He returns. This seems to allude to the idea that there will be multiple returns of Christ. Once while there is “peace and safety” and once when there is turmoil on the earth. One return is to a world that is doing life as usual, and one return seems to be to a world that is rocked by hardship. If 1 Thessalonians 4 is speaking of Jesus return at the rapture and 1 Thessalonians 5 is speaking of Christs 2nd coming after the world goes through Tribulation, this would make sense to me. Matthew 24, is an excellent chapter to study in conjuntion with this passage in Thessalonians.
“a thief in the night” Jesus will return at a time no one will know, and while unbelievers will feel like this was a theif in the night, believers can anticipate his cominng, and expect his coming, even though we don’t know the exact time of it. So to us, this “thief in the night” is much less surprising.
“destruction will come on them suddelnly” For the unbeliever this day will be a day of destruction. It will be a surprise and it will be a day that will end the unbelievers ability to turn to the Lord. The only thing that awaits the unbeliever after the Day of the Lord is destruction. This is a call for us to warn others and share the gospel before it is to late for them.
“you are children of light” All of these things should not be surprising to Christians because we know the truth. We are the ones who live in the light of Gods love and truth. Since we “do not belong to the darkness” let us take steps to live in holiness. When Christ returns we want Him to find His people living in the light. This is a call to holiness for the believer.
“let us not sleep” The believer should be spiritually awake and sober to these things. The word sleep here is a different word than Paul used for sleep as an illustration for death. Here he is letting believers know that they should not be ignorant, indifferent, or inactive when it comes to the truth of Christs return. We should be watchful, hopeful, and pursuing holiness.
Verses 9-11 really are encouraging to believers. One of the main reasons I believe Christians will not go through the tribulation is because God states in verse 9 that believers are not appointed to “wrath.” Reading the bowl judgements in the book of Revelation shows us that these are the wrath of God on a wicked world. This wrath is not for God’s kids anymore than Hell is for God’s kids.
And again we are instructed by Paul to “encourage one another with these words.” He instructs us to build each other up. Live holy lives. Study the bible and understand the last days. Be hopeful that no matter our understanding of these things, God has good things for His people.
INDUCTIVE STUDY PROMPTS
Read the passage. Let’s get into God’s word! (Acts 17 for extra reading)
Write down how the passage made you feel. How does it apply to your heart and life. One word, like convicted, happy, anxious, melancholy, etc. Let’s make this passage personal!
Write down a word or phrase or idea in the scripture that jumped out at you. Let’s let the Holy Spirit work through His word!
Leader asks some/all to share their feeling and their word/phrase/idea, then asks what from their life does that person associate with that feeling and word/phrase/idea. (example from studying Psalm 23) Might be remembering visiting grandpa’s sheep farm and sadness of loss of him, or pain of strained family relationships, or joy remembering grandma and grandpa’s good Christian marriage. Let’s talk about it from our life experience!
Leader asks if there is anything that he/she/group can pray for that person in relation to all that was shared. Let’s pray!
Leader takes notes and remembers to follow up with that person the following week to see how things are going. Let’s be consistent/remember/challenge each other!
