The Event of “The Day of The Lord” and the Believers’ Responsibility in View of that Event I Thessalonians 5:1-28 Part I
The event of “The Day of the Lord” is an unusual event that will take place in the future; moreover, in view of this unprecedented event, Paul admonished the Thessalonian believers to live godly lives (I Thessalonians 5:23) in view of this event. Certainly, a right perspective and understanding of prophecy should issue in godly living (I Peter 3:8-12). Our text, I Thessalonians 5:1-28 can be outlined as follows: I. The Revelation of The Day of the Lord – I Thessalonians 5:1-11; II. Some Responsibilities of Believers in View of that Event – I Thessalonians 5:12-28.
- The Revelation of The Day of the Lord – I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Paul begins this section of this grand epistle by explaining that he didn’t have to deal with the subject matter “The Day of the Lord” in dept because he had already informed the Thessalonian believers about this event. These believers were certainly dear to the apostle’s heart, as many members are to pastors. The Day of the Lord had been written about faithfully by various Old Testament prophets. In the Old Testament, there are many passages that speak of the event either under the full designation or under the shorter phrase “that day” (Isaiah 2:12, 13:9-11; Joel 1:15; Amos 5:18; Zephaniah 1:14-16, 3:14). This event will occur right after the Rapture of the church. Thus, “The Day of the Lord” will begin with the tribulation period (seven years in duration) and will go on through the Millennium.
That period will be characterized as a period of both blessing and cursing or judgment. Cursing or judgment for those who will be grounded after the Rapture and will have to experience being ushered into the beginning of the tribulation period. It will be a blessing for those who will be blessed to enter into the Millennium (1,000-year reign of Christ on earth) (v. 2). Moreover, as the event of The Day of the Lord unfolds, the world will be saying “Peace and safety,” but sudden judgment ensues. The suddenness of judgment was not anticipated much as the arrival of a thief invading one’s home.
No one really looks forward to a visit from a thief, and the world will not be looking for a time of sudden disaster also. Not only is this day an unanticipated event, but it will be an inescapable day of trouble. Just as a mother bearing a child cannot escape the pain of delivery, so those on earth will not avert or escape the awfulness of that day (v. 3).
The Tribulation period (depicted in detail in Revelation 6-19), will last for seven years, and will start immediately after the church has been raptured. During the first stage of this period (first three and one-half years) the Antichrist will engage in a covenant with the nation of Israel (Daniel 9); after which, during the latter part of the three and a half years, he will break the covenant, and the inhabitants on earth will experience unusual trouble.
The unholy forces of evil (the Devil, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet – Rev. 13) will control the world; and for those left after the rapture, it will be a period of unprecedented trouble. To avert this period, every person needs to know without a shadow of doubt, that he or she is saved. You can be assured that you are saved by accepting the claim of God’s Word in your heart by accepting Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, for Romans 10:9 says: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Paul begins verse 4 re-emphasizing that “The Day of the Lord” should not be such a surprise to the believers because they had been fully informed about the event. Also, these believers (the church) will be at home with the Lord (I Thess. 4:17-18). An instructed saint is an informed saint, and an informed saint will not allow any event that transpires even now to startle his or her faith in the Lord’s return. When our hearts are in tuned to the Lord’s Word, any threatening announcement made in this life will not alarm us to such a degree that we lose perspective on the coming of our Lord. In view of the Lord’s coming, and His coming is imminent (meaning He can come at any time), Paul urges these believers to watchfulness (alert) and embrace a serious (sober) disposition, because they were children of light and children of the day (vs. 5-6).
As children of God, and in light of His soon return, our behavior should reflect that we are both the “salt of the earth” (having an influence upon the world) and light of the world (being or serving as a witness to a dark world) (Matthew 5: 13, 14). Paul goes on to say that our attitude of thinking and conduct is radically different than unbelievers because their lives are characterized as being spiritually insensitive (v. 7).
Moreover and because of our enlightened position as children of the day, we should soberly and righteously put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation (v. 8). Those of us who are saved should be really manifesting the three triads mentioned by Paul: faith, love and hope. Paul loved to mention these triads in his writings (I Thess. 1:3), and we should be thoroughly equipped with them in view of the Lord’s coming. Our faith in God should result in our love for people, regardless of their race, or even social status in life. Then we need to be equipped with hope knowing that we have been exempted from the wrath to come (tribulation period), in which the “Day of the Lord” will begin.
As believers, we will escape that awful period of history and we are now awaiting the Lord’s arrival (I Thess. 4:13-18). Whether we are watchful, that is spiritually alert, or spiritually insensitive to the Lord’s arrival, we will go home with Him before the advent of the tribulation period. Isn’t that comforting! (vs. 9-10). The truth of our exemption from the wrath to come (tribulation period), ought to serve in comforting and edifying us in our local assemblies (church) (v. 11).
May God Bless!
