The Believer's Preparation for Christ's Return 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Cooper P Abrams III

Introduction:    The Thessalonians had many questions about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and there was much confusion about the matter. The same is true today, in spite of the fact that we have God's word on the matter which should dispel any misunderstanding. The Thessalonians confusion came because they did not have the word of God and that is why Paul writes this Epistle (letter) to them to explain this truth and end the confusion.

               Today we have dozens of false teachings concerning the return of Christ, but there is only one truth and that is what God has specifically stated in His word.

I. God does not want us ignorant concerning the times in which we live. Let us look at what He inspired the Apostle Paul to write: (1 Thess. 5:1-11)

A. This discourse began in Chapter 4:13. Paul is giving further information about the Second Coming. He says that he had no need to write unto them concerning the times and seasons.
1. Paul had taught them to live expecting the imminent return of the Lord. He is reminding them that Christ could return at any moment and therefore people who were looking for the any moment return of the Lord did not to be told when He would return. In other words he did not have to tell them to be always looking for the Lord's return...that is the normal way a Christian lives.

2. The word "times" is the word "chronos" meaning a space of time and the word "season" refers to a set event in time.

B. The coming of the Lord would be sudden and at an unexpected moment. It would be like the thief in the night to those who were not living expecting His imminent return. (V2)
1. Paul explains that they knew this truth, but what is implied is that the unsaved world would be caught off guard. To them it would be as an unexpected thief coming in the night. Paul is saying you know the truth and are living in the knowledge of Christ's imminent return, yet it is different with the world.

2. Note Verse 3 says "For when they say. . ." Clearly this is referring to the situation of Christ's return as it relates to the lost world.

3. The event is referred to as the "day of the Lord." This is one of the most misunderstood phrases in the Bible. I do not have time to go into all the details, but it is used in the Bible twenty three times (23) and refers to a number of different events. It basically means a day in which the Lord has chosen to reveal Himself in a day He has foretold would happen. The day of the Lord is not one event in history. Each time it refers to God exercising various judgments at various times. Some conclude that is refers only to one time that is the God's pouring His wrath on the earth in the middle of the Tribulation. That is incorrect. The phrase refers not to one, but a number of times God has and will act in judgment. It absolutely does not mean what the Pre-Wrath view has concluded that the Rapture will occur in the middle of the Tribulation. I have a paper that explains the error of that false teaching you can find on my web site at http://bible-truth.org/Pre-Wrath.html . The article is called the "The Fatal Flaw in the Pre-Wrath View."

C. The unsaved at the Second Coming will feel safe and secure, not understanding that sudden destruction will come upon them. V3.
1. The world lives in a false and blind sense of security. It is like the person who feels safe and secure in their homes at night as their sleep. Most people do not expect a thief to break into their homes, yet it happens and most are unprepared.

2. Paul uses the example of a woman who is expecting. The birth pains come suddenly and are mostly unpredictable. In other words the woman is going about her business and suddenly the pains begin.

II. The Christian Should not be Taken by Surprise. (1 Thess. 5:4-11)
A. True believers are not in darkness. (Verse 4-5) Darkness in the Bible always refers to the moral state of unbelievers. Darkness is the absence of light. In the dark you cannot see.
1. The phrase is saying that true Christians can see and know the Light or spiritual truth. Verse 5 says they are the children of light.

2. This is in sharp contrast to the unsaved who are in darkness. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) In other words the unsaved cannot comprehend spiritual truth. They do not have the new nature that comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is given to believers.

B. The Christian then should not be over taken by this truth. Christians will be resurrected given new bodies and eternity with the Lord. The unsaved will be condemned and will experience the just judgment of God based on their rejection of God's truth. The unsaved will not escape the results of their choice in refusing to put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. How often we hear the unsaved say things like, "Well, I am not so bad. I believe my good will out weight the bad I have done and God will let me go to heaven." The truth is salvation is not a matter of how much good or bad we have done.

2. All men are sinners and under the condemnation of sin. God says, "There is none righteous, no not one." So those who think their good will out weight they bad...can already know the result their putting their trust in their good works. They have no good ....they in fact sinners and justly will be judged by their sins and condemned.

3. However, the one who believes in Jesus Christ is given forgiveness of all their sins. God then removes the bad and imparts unto them His righteousness. God declared them righteous, meaning "right" in His eyes. Based then on God's forgiveness and imparted righteousness they are no longer condemned and have the full assurance of salvation....NOW and for all ETERNITY.

C. A person who knows the truth need to act on it. Paul says for us to be sober and watch. Being sober means thinking with an unhindered mind. Here lies the problem. Many hear the truth and even know it is true. Yet, many will not act on what they know. In other words they have a head knowledge of God and salvation, but not a heart knowledge.
1. A head knowledge will not save. Faith is a matter of acting on a believed truth. If you truly believe something you will act on it. OR you may simply know some truth and have not faith, not believing....and not act on it.

ILLUS: March 31, 2008 I had a EKG done at the VA. It was abnormal and showed a possible ectopic atrial bardycardia.. My heart is not beating right and beats on a average 45-49 times a minute. Normal heart rate is above 70 bpm. I called the VA two days later and made three appointments for the recommended further tests to be done. I believe I have a problem. I am physically tired most of the time and out of breath. I am acting on my belief. I could ignore it and hope for the best. But that would really be foolish wouldn't it? I want a cure to live as long as I can. I have many things I want to do before I go home to be with the Lord. I have proven my faith, by my actions.
2. God define faith for us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " (Hebrews 11:1)

3. James in chapter 2, verse 18, 20 and 26 tell us that faith without works is dead. Something that is dead has not life in it. It is without action and cannot do anything. Biblical faith is one of acting.

- When I believed that God truly existed I acted. I asked God to saved me.

- When God whom I believed in said that I was a sinner under the condemnation of my sin...I acted. I took Him at His word that He had forgiven my sins and given me eternal life.

- When God said I was to make a public profession of my faith....I acted. I publicly made a profession of faith.

- I did not understand about baptism, but when I learned that what believer's baptism was...once again I acted. I went forward in a service and was baptized.

- Over the years as I have studied and learned more and more about God's word.... I acted. I learned God told me to faithfully assemble with my church. I acted. I from that day on have been faithful in supporting my church and all its services.

- When I learned God wanted me to give my tithes and offering and be a part of God's work. I acted. Carolyn and I began to give our offerings to the Lord gladly in faith trusting in God to provide for us. HE HAS....Absolutely...!!!

D. Paul says to "put on the breastplate of faith and love. Wednesday night, April 2nd our Bible study was on love. Not the worlds vain and selfish love, but God's love. The message what was God says about the importance of love and also how we practically apply that in our lives.
1. God says for the protection of our minds...put on the helmet of the hope of our salvation. This means biblical "hope" which is a actually a trust and assurance in God's promise to come for us in the resurrection give us a new glorified body and eternity with Him. This is biblical hope in which there is not doubting or chance that our hope will not come true.

2. Note that this helmet of hope protects the head or our minds. It effects how we think. Through John the Lord says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3:3) Those who are looking for the Lord imminent return will keep themselves ready to greet Him. How often do you and I think about the Rapture? When we hear a loud boom, or something unusual happened? It should be on our mind most of the time. It should especially come to mind when we are tempted and when we are not obeying the Lord.

III. God has not appointed us to wrath. (1 Thess. 5:9-11)
A. The wrath of God is reserved for those who reject God and His love. It is the end for those who refuse to believe and choose rather to ignore Him and live apart from Him.

B. God's promise is that those who believe will obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. I like that phrase... "our Lord Jesus Christ." There is a peace in it and assurance that calms the soul.

1. Note that is says, "by" the Lord Jesus Christ." Not by a church, our works, rituals, or anything else. It states salvation is by Jesus Christ.

2. Verse 10 explains the reason. It was He, the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. Only He was perfect, only He was God come in the flesh and only He could atone for sins.

C. Because of what HE DID we can be assured that if we put our faith and trust in Him...whether He comes in our life time or after we die....WE WILL LIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM.

God tell us "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:6) My dear friend...this is a fact a promise of God and a sure reality given to the one who will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior by faith.

Conclusion:
1. The concluding statement in this truth is limited only to believers. This gives no hope for the unsaved for any comfort to those who are choosing to disobey the Lord and reject Him in their lives. No hope is here for the one with only a head knowledge of the Lord...who lives their lives ignoring His will for their lives.

2. It is a comfort, however for the one who does believe or who will repent...meaning to change one's mind and in an act of faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and follow His instructions.

3. Paul says we are to "edify" one another. The word "edify" means to build up. We are to show others of our faith in the Lord. We are to be a testimony of one who is not afraid of death, but knows that when it comes we will be with the Lord. One of the greatest strengthens of our personal testimony for the Lord is our expressing our complete assurance that we know when we die we will be with the Lord.

4. The unsaved in the world and all false religions have no such assurance. They all based their future on the unsure hope of their works and worthiness of meriting them God's favor. God's verdict is already in. God will not accept anything, but simple faith in what Jesus did on the cross in paying our sin debt.

               Will you believe? We you exercise truth saving faith? Will you act on what you know is true and let God forgive you. He wants to, but He will not force Himself on you.



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