Christ’s Return

Posted on April 18, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note that this Epistle has a reference to the Lord’s return in all five chapters. Let us look at them for a moment.

1 Thessalonians1:10 – “to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19 – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”

1 Thessalonians 3:13 – “so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

In the passage in chapter 4 Paul settles the distinction of those who are alive and those who have died at the Lord’s return. In Paul’s day most expected Christ’s return very soon, in their life time, but at this point the saints were beginning to die and their hope was in grave question.

2 Corinthians 5:8 – “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,”

Acts 1:11 – “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Matt 24:30 – “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Some confusion exists as to the end time and Christ’s return. They are two separate events.

1 Thessalonians speaks in detail of the coming of Christ for the saints
2 Thessalonians speaks of the coming of Christ in judgment.

First Coming	Second Coming

Christ comes to claim His bride	Christ returns with His bride
He comes in the air	He comes to the earth
Tribulation following	Millennial kingdom established
Immediate departure of saints	Multiple signs precede
Message of comfort given	Message of judgment given
Change is a mystery	Change is predicted throughout Bible
Believers are judged	Gentiles and Israel are judged
Israel’s covenants not yet fulfilled	Israel’s covenant is fulfilled
Believers only involved	All people are involved
The church received into the presence of Lord	Israel brought into kingdom age

If we are planning on being a part of the first of Christ’s return, His return for the Church, then we had better not ignore the admonition of Chapter 4.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-12 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing”

1 Thessalonians 4:18 – “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Little Words – Big Meanings

Posted on April 18, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing,

The Gettysburg Address contains 272 words and was spoken by our sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, to dedicate a National Cemetery. One of the statements in that address was “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” What student in school has not heard of the Gettysburg Address or, possibly, had to memorize it.
Edward Everett, a great orator of that day spoke before Lincoln and later wrote “I should be glad if I came as near to the central idea in two hours as you did in two minutes.”
The Lord’s Prayer contains a mere 67 words, and most Christians can easily pray that prayer.
The length or volume of a prayer or statement of scripture does not necessarily indicate the meaning or the intent of that prayer or statement.

I Kings 18:20-41 – “So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said,

“LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”

Our prayers to God do not need to be long, full of big words and “spiritual” words. Just talk as you would to a good friend. He wants honesty and is not impressed with false piety.

In this famous story that shows the mighty power of God we find a perfect example of few words and great manifestation of results. Sixty-three words are contained in the KJV of the Bible. Yet, look at the great results.

How about Joshua’s declaration in Joshua 24:15, only 11 words at the end of the verse and quoted by many. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

John 11:35 and only nine letters but everyone knows “Jesus wept.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16 is the second shortest verse in the Bible. “Rejoice evermore.”

Other short verses or statements include the following and have profound meanings to all.

I Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
I Thessalonians 5:19 – “Do not quench the Spirit.”
I Thessalonians 5:20 – “Do not despise prophecies.”
I Thessalonians 5:25 – “Brethren, pray for us.”
Hebrews 13:1 – “Let brotherly love continue.”
Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
“Follow Me.” was spoken to the rich young ruler and at the call of several disciples. Christ calls to us also to follow Him.

Rev 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Little words – bit meanings

“Here I am Lord. Use me!

Prayer

Posted on April 17, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing

Prayer is our privileged access to the Creator of the universe.
Prayer is the key to our staying in a state of grace.
Prayer is talking to the Father.
Prayer is an utmost responsibility of the believer.
Prayer is invigorating.
Prayer is calming and peaceful to a troubled spirit.
Prayer is fellowship with God.
Without prayer we cannot please God.

James 5:16 – “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Confession of sins to another believer is a humbling experience and prayer for a friend in need is a delight of the soul.

I Samuel 12:23-25 – “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

How often do we hear of a need and we immediately say we will pray. Then we walk away from the person expressing the need and forget all about it. Shame, shame on us. Prayer is a solemn obligation and is even more so when we say “we will pray.”

Luke 21:36 – “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Isaiah 59:1 – “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”

I Samuel 14:6 – “Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.’”

When we firmly realize the possibilities of answered prayer, why then, do we not pray?

I John 5:14-15 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Anything that is within His will is worthy of prayer. You have not because you ask not.

I Will Praise the Lord

Posted on April 16, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The Psalms were set to the accompaniment of stringed instruments and served as the temple hymnbook and devotional guide for the Jewish people, The tremendous amount of subject matter in the Psalms includes diverse topics, such as jubilation, war, peace, worship, judgment, messianic prophecy, praise and lament. It is the largest, perhaps most widely used, book in the entire Bible. It explores the full range of human experience in a very personal and practical way in its 150 songs.

Originally unnamed because of the wide variety of material, it became known as the “Book of Praises”.

The Greek word Psalmoi became an early title for this book and where we get the word Psalter and Psalm.

Sometime take a look at the different chapters throughout the Psalms and you will find verse after verse starts with the words “I will”. “I will praise Him, I will lift up my voice, I will sing unto the Lord, I will bless the Lord, I will, I will, I will.” “I will” is a positive declaration of the individual who is determined to praise the Lord. It is something you must decide. You can choose not to praise God or to praise Him. If you simply do not choose to praise Him, it is an act of defiance which is rebelling against the Word of God which is sin. You can come to church week after week and sit or stand in the presence of Almighty God and either praise Him or not. You have that right. Praise takes many forms from a simple singing of the songs or saying amen to clapping your hands and many other forms. God wants you to praise Him.

As a result of praising God your heart will be lifted, your cares and burdens made lighter, and you will feel a warmth and joy that only God can give. It is far beyond my ability to think that man, woman, boy, or girl would not want that from God when it requires so little effort.

The prophet Malachi in the book by his name probes deeply into several practices of the people of his day. One of those was the offering of polluted offerings. When the law was given by Moses from God, the children of Israel were under a system of rules that were complex and very regulated. Offerings of various types were to be made for different occasions. In the book of Leviticus we find a list of all the sacrifices they were to offer. Those sacrifices and offerings included a peace offering, a burnt offering, a meal offering, a guilt offering, a sin offering and a daily sacrifice. Those can be found in Leviticus 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 16, and 29.

Now, thank God, we do not have to do all that ritualistic sacrifice and offering, but God does want us to offer the sacrifice of praise, of worship. There is a correlation between the offerings of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and praise and worship of the New. Let us look at the Word of God.

Malachi 1:6-9 – A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled you?’ By saying ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts.

He said go invite your governor and offer him a meal that is diseased and see how he likes it…then ask yourself, why would I offer this to God almighty God? But now entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts.”

Did you hear that question? We should ask that same question of ourselves when we offer halfhearted praise in His house. How many times do we come into church and instead of focusing on praising and honoring God, we look around to see who is here, we talk to the one sitting next to us, we let our mind wonder to where we will eat lunch? How would we behave if the president or some sports figure or famous person was speaking to us?

Is God pleased with the praise that we offer? Not just here in the church. Even more important, what about our daily life? We need to do a self check to make sure our praise, our life, our worship is from the depths of our heart and is truly meaningful. Our praise is to an Almighty God. He is worthy. He is worthy, He is worthy.

Malachi 1:10-14 – Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of hosts. Nor will I accept an offering from your hands for from the rising of the sun, even to its going down My name shall be great among the Gentiles. In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts. But you profane it, in that you say ‘The table of the LORD is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’ You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ and you sneer at it says the LORD of hosts “ And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick. Thus you bring an offering. Should I accept this from your hand?” says the LORD? “ But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male and takes a vow But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—For I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts. “ And My name is to be feared among the nations.

Over and over again in this passage He states several different ways “My Name shall be great”. By the sincere offering of the sacrifices and now in our day, our praise and worship, we glorify God. As we do, we are a witness to the unbeliever of the goodness of God. In other words if you want to be a good witness…praise God by the way you live your life, the way that you worship Him, the way you exalt His name….You will be blessed as a result and others, including the nonbeliever will begin to take notice.

Malachi 2:1-3 – And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the LORD of hosts. “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. “Behold, I will rebuke your descendants and spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your solemn feasts; and one will take you away with it.

In this passage God is simply saying the refuse (or dung) I will not receive and in fact will smear it in your face because it is unacceptable. He further states that our children will be cursed if we follow this pattern.

If you are going to praise the Lord, do it in a praiseworthy manner, in song, in praise, in conversation, in word and deed. Let your thoughts, your words, your deeds, your praise so honor God that men will see your good works and glorify God.

Colossians 3:23 – and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Matthew 5:116 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

God Gives Joy, But You Must Rejoice

Posted on April 15, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica that they should rejoice always and give thanks in everything. Note: Not “for” everything, but “in” everything. We may not be thankful for trials and difficulties we face in this life, but we can be thankful that God is with us and gives us strength for the day.

Jesus gave us one main reason why no matter the situation we can rejoice. We have a precious promise from Him that this life is not all there is. He is coming again and we will be with Him.

John 14:1-3 – “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Luke 10:20 – “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Romans 12:9-13 – “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

The Psalmist made it clear that rejoicing is a choice. Over and over he said “I will.”

Psalm 101:1 – “I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises

Psalm 104:33 – “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

Psalm 116:17 – “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.”

Psalm 118:21 – “I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.”

Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.”

Nehemiah told the Israelites as they returned from captivity of Babylon to Jerusalem that it was joy of the Lord that would give them the strength they needed as they began to rebuild their country.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 – “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’”

Isaiah wrote that because we can trust in the LORD and gain strength from him, because we have salvation through Him, we can have joy and praise the LORD.

Isaiah 12:2-6 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: ‘Praise the LORD, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!’”

It is in His presence we can find complete joy. If your joy is running low, spend some time in His presence, reading His word, listening to songs of praise, praying developing that close relationship with Him.

Psalm 16:11 – “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Joy is contagious – START AN EPIDEMIC!
You can stay depressed, oppressed, possessed, suppressed if you want to. But as for me, I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!!

1 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

SO PRAISE HIM!!!!!!

Exhortations for a Life Pleasing to God

Posted on April 14, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:14-23

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Warn those who are unruly
Comfort the fainthearted
Uphold the weak
Be patient with all
Do not return evil for evil
Pursue what is good
Rejoice always
Pray without ceasing
In everything give thanks
Do not quench the Spirit
Do not despise prophecies
Test all things
Hold fast to what is good
Abstain from all evil

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 2:19-26 – “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

2 Timothy 4:1-5 – “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Titus 2:1-8 – “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

A Thief in the Night

Posted on April 13, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Watch and pray
Watch, you do not know the day
If you are a farmer and
You want to reap corn, then plant corn
You want to reap soy beans, then plant soy beans
You want to reap wheat, then plant wheatIf you want to be a factory worker, then work in the factory

BUT, if you want to be a witness, then be a witness whether you are a farmer, a factory worker, a housewife, a professional, a college student. No matter what, BE A WITNESS.

Be fruitful, bring in a great harvest to the kingdom.

Be helpful, lift others up, Christian and non-Christian.

No wonder that Christ’s return is of importance to the Christian faith, as approximately one out of every thirty verses in the Bible mention this teaching. The coming of Christ, as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are not the coming I am speaking of in this message. Christ’s return is mentioned in 318 references in 216 separate chapters. Entire books, for example, are 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Entire chapters, including Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, are devoted to it.

Christ’s return is the theme of the Old Testament prophets. The careful reader will quickly note that they sometimes merge the two comings so that it is not at first apparent that there are two comings, yet the teaching is there.

1 Peter 1:11 – Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

Jesus Himself bore constant testimony to His coming again.

John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 21:22 – Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Look more thoroughly to Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

The angels bear testimony to His second coming in:

Acts 1:11 – Who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The apostles faithfully proclaimed this truth:

Acts 3:19-20 – Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Hebrews 9:28 – So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

1 John 2:28 – And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Jude 14-15 – Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 14-15

The church is told to look forward to this great hope that we have in His second coming:

Titus 2:13 – Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:12 – Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

His second coming is a teaching from God’s Word that proves to be the greatest incentive to living a consistent Christian life.

Matthew 24:44 – Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Luke 21:34-36 – But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

1 John 2:28 – And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 John 3:3 – And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

One question we should ask ourselves in all areas of life, especially some “gray” areas, is, “Would I like to have Christ find me doing this when He comes?”

His second coming is a great comfort to all believers.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 – For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Some scoffers say it is not going to happen. Why would something so comforting and helpful to the believer be spoken against? There are many reasons some have for believing that lie from Satan.
The unreadiness of the individual and, in general, the church
Preconceived ideas
Extravagant or non-scriptural predictions as to time
Lack of knowledge of the Scriptures
Failure of the church to teach on this subject

2 Peter 3:4 – Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Hopefully we will not be caught asleep, not awaiting His return as the Jews were when they rejected His first coming.

What is meant by the phrase, “the second coming?”

Acts 1:10-11 – And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Revelation 1:7 – Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Some mistaken ideas for the meaning of Christ’s second coming include:

His coming at the death of a saint
The coming of the Holy Spirit
The destruction of Jerusalem

There is a distinction of Christ’s coming for His saints (1 Thessalonians) and coming with His saints (2 Thessalonians). These two books, if studied, will answer many questions.

He comes for His Church, the Bride of Christ, to remove us from this sinful world. Following this event a time of great distress, in Scripture called the Great Tribulation, and following this period of approximately seven years He then returns to bring judgment upon all the world.

Many efforts by saints and sinners alike have been put forth to set dates concerning His return. The best answer that I can scripturally give to you is simply, “Soon, be ready.”

Some of the signs we can readily see that point to His return are:

Great apostasy and departure from the faith

1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away.

Luke 18:8 – I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Time of great heaping up of wealth and possessions

James 5:1-9 – Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:1-9

Time of great missionary activity

Mark 13:10 – And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Revelation 5:9 – And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

Return of the Jews to Israel

Deuteronomy 30:1-3 – Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.

Zechariah 14:1-4 – Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 12:2-3 – Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Be ready. He’s coming soon! Do not be caught unaware.

Thoughts of a Retired Pastor

Category Archives: 1 Thessalonians