Scriptural Readings: I Thessalonians 5:2-24; II Thessalonians 2:2-3, 14
I Thessalonians 5:2-4
King James Version
V.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
V.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
V.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
New Living Translation
V.2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
V.3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
V.4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
As we go through our day-to-day lives, we experience troublesome or carefree challenges. There are things tolerable for us that otherwise disturb our whole being in the physical realm or spiritual realm, presenting us with choices. Whatever the outcomes, they have consequences for us. Rust eats metals, putting a once-mighty type of metal into a hill of useless sands of rust. Molds develop, extending their roots on our bread, making it impossible for us to eat it, resulting in waste and world hunger. Are we living in a pre-apocalyptic scenario? Repercussions must be our concern. Are we ready for anything that will come our way? For sure, there are no exemptions, and for humanity, uncertainties are always a welcome party.
I Thessalonians 5:5-8
King James Version
V.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
V.6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.
V.7 For them that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
V.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
New Living Translation
V.5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
V.6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
V.7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.
V.8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
What should be our attitude? Of what is presently developing today, this is the time to contemplate our lives seriously. We have to be more cautious of what is happening and give more time to foreknow further and brace for what is about to happen. Insights and conclusions will play a considerable part for all of us. Summing up all these things, there must be something more essential and meaningful for our lives. Important that our body, soul, and spirit must deal with seriousness.
What are we made of at this present time? We have to be left unshaken as Christians. The foundation has to be strong. We should be having a thankful attitude because God will equip us with all the necessary things we need. We have no one or anything to blame but ourselves. We get into trouble because of wrong assumptions and decisions giving us the pressures. We assume we can handle any failure, but when it gets out of hand, we have assorted reasons to present, including ourselves, why we are suffering.
I Thessalonians 5:9-24
King James Version
V.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
V.10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
V.11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
V.12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
V.13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.
V.14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].
V.15 See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].
V.16 Rejoice evermore.
V.17 Pray without ceasing.
V.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
V.19 Quench not the Spirit.
V.20 Despise not prophesyings.
V.21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
V.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
V.23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
V.24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].
New Living Translation
V.9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
V.10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
V.11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
V.12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
V.13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
V.14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
V.15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and all people.
V.16 Always be joyful.
V.17 Never stop praying.
V.18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
V.19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
V.20 Do not scoff at prophecies,
V.21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
V.22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
V.23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
V.24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Are we seeing a connection between now and the future? We have to be unshaken and, to be in this stage, we have to have divine life. It may seem impossible, but the truth is for God, nothing is impossible. Let us not fear. Let the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit continue to work on us. He can reconstruct our unstable lives into reliable lives, getting through different kinds of trials. God never lies. God will make this happen if we are going to be faithful and unshaken. He has provided everything we need, and all we have to do is step on the plate, wait for the right time, and swing the bat. We have to keep in mind that God is always in control, and we have to remain unshaken.
And finally. . .
II Thessalonians 2:2-3
King James Version
V.2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
V.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
New Living Translation
V.2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
V.3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.
As we see something unfolds before our eyes, let’s stand firm and remained unshaken. The truth will be revealed, and lies will be exposed. Many will fall away and be shaken by what is happening and about to happen. We must focus our lives on Jesus alone! Jesus promised that He will not leave us nor forsake us. A day will come when we will all be taken, and to be with Him forever sharing all His glory. Alleluia!