1Thessalonians chapter 5

 

Memory verse: 1Thessalonians 5:18

 

A main theme of 1Thessalonians is the second coming of Christ (1Thessalonians 1:10, 2:19, 4:13-18, 5:1-4, and 5:23). Another theme is the truth of the gospel (1Thessalonians 1:5-6 & 9, 2:3-5 & 13, and 4:2). According to the King James Bible, this letter was written from Athens, presumably when Paul was there in Acts 17 (1Thessalonians 3:1-2). The first part of 1Thessalonains 5 is about the second coming of Christ. The second part is various admonitions.

 

Day 1 – when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh

Verses 1-5

There were no chapters and verses in the original manuscripts of the Bible. 1Thessalonians 5 is a continuation of chapter 4 in which Paul writes about the coming of the Lord for the church (1Thessaloniansa 4:13-18). That is why 1Thessalonians 5:1 starts with the word “but”. The times and seasons he is talking about are those approaching the return of the Lord. The church in Thessalonica knew that there is no point trying to be too specific about when He is coming. Jesus Himself said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father (Mark 13:32)”. The apostles asked the Lord just before He ascended to heaven when it would be, and He told them “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Acts 1:7)”. When people try to put even a close estimate on it let alone a date, they are making themselves false prophets, which is very serious. It could be in 5 minutes or in 50 years. What the church is to be focused on is its mission to be witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8-12). We need to be aware of what time we are living in, and how scriptural prophecy is being fulfilled (1Chronicles 12:32, Matthew 16:3, Luke 21:31); but we are not to pinpoint a time of the second coming. A good saying is, “live like He is coming today, and plan like He is coming in 100 years”. It is meant to be a surprise. God does not want the church sitting idly waiting for it being distracted from its mission (Matthew 20:1-7). He also does not want the world to try to repent at the last minute so they can have pleasure in sin until it is time. The time to repent is now (Acts 17:30-31, 2Corinthians 6:2). When the world is claiming peace and safety, it is not only false, it is a sign in itself of the end. Ben Franklin said that they who trade freedom for safety deserve neither. That has been and will be the false promise to lure people into giving up their freedom. That will also be the false promise of the antichrist. The children of God ought not to be unaware of these things. That day should only come as a thief to those who are not ready.

 

Day 2 – let us watch and be sober

Verses 6-10

The church is to walk in the light (John 8:12, 1John 1:7). It is to be awake, and not asleep (Matthew 25:1-13). We need to be like a watchman paying attention to what is coming (Matthew 24:42-43, Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:34-37, Luke 21:36, 1Coriinthians 16:13, Colossians 4:2, 1Peter 4:7, Revelation 3:3). Prayer is a critical element in our keeping watch. When we know what is coming we need to warn others as a good watchman (Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:1-12). We should have our spiritual armor on (Ephesian 6:10-18). God did not appoint His people to His wrath. He came to save us from it (1Thessalonians 1:10). This is one of several reasons to believe the church will not be on the earth during what is called the tribulation period described in the book of Revelation chapters 6-19. This period is the wrath of God (Revelation 6:17, Revelation 16:19). In these chapters, the Gentile saved people always appear in heaven, and the saved people on earth are always Jews (Revelation 4:4 & 10, Revelation 5:8-10, Revelation 7, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 12, Revelation 14:1-6, Revelation 19:4-14). This is in agreement with Daniel 9:24-27, Luke 21:24, and Romans 9-11. Whether or not a Christian has passed away, he is alive to God (Luke 20:38).

 

Day 3 – ever follow that which is good

Verses 11-15

We can encourage, strengthen, and build up each other by reminding each other of the eternal hope that we have in Christ. The word translated comfort here is parakaleo.It is like the word parakletos which is translated Comforter to describe the Holy Ghost (John 14:16 & 26, John 15:26, John 16:7), and Jesus (1John 2:1). We should know and esteem our spiritual leaders. There should be peace in the household of God, and those that disturb it should be warned. We should help those who are mentally or physically weak, and be patient to all. We are not allowed to avenge ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:19). We must leave judgment to God (Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-11).

 

Day 4 – in every thing give thanks

Verses 16-22

Joy is a choice, and it is a commandment. When we choose to see the goodness of God, we will find joy even if the circumstances are not enjoyable. To pray without ceasing does mean to pray 24 hours a day. It means don’t stop praying. Don’t give up your faith even if it takes a long time for the answer to come. There are many reasons prayers may not be answered quickly. The enemy may be fighting (Daniel 10:1-13). God may be testing us (Luke 11:5-13, Luke 18:1-8). It may not be the best time for the answer to come. Maybe we are missing the will of God, and He is doing us a favor (Numbers 22, Luke 22:42, 1John 5:14). The will of God is for us to be thankful. God wants to know we recognize and appreciate what He does for us. We can either be thankful or bitter. Do not put out the fire of the Holy Ghost inside you. Don’t discount or disregard prophecy, whether it is foretelling or forthtelling. That does not mean we have to just swallow everything we hear wholesale. We are to test and examine everything by the scriptures to see if it is valid (Acts 17:11, 1John 4:1). We are to abstain from evil in any form it takes. When in doubt, do without, and better safe than sorry are not scriptures, but they are scriptural principles.

 

Day 5 – the very God of peace sanctify you wholly

Verses 23-28

The God of peach Himself sets us apart from sin unto Himself. He cleanses us and purifies us completely in every aspect of our being. He faithfully guards our entire being to keep it without blame until He comes. Verse 23 is often quoted as body, soul, and spirit. It actually says spirit, soul, and body. That is the order in which God prioritizes it. There is unbiblical teaching about the different aspects of the being of man. In both the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New Testament, the words mind, heart, soul, and spirit are interchangeable. The same words in the original languages are translated often as each other. You cannot take a scalpel and separate them. It is commonly taught that the mind is the thoughts, the heart is the emotions, the soul is the eternal part, and the spirit is the life force. This is totally unscriptural since the words are all interchanged, and the attributed aspects are as well. People often attribute spiritual virtue to the heart but not to the mind. They say that we should serve God with our heart, but our mind is the enemy of faith. That is also unscriptural. We are to serve God will our whole being (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:30). The heart and mind can either serve God or sin. Paul charged that his letter be read to all the church. At least 2 of Paul’s epistles were shared with other churches as well (Colossians 4:16), even before the New Testament was completed.