Grace and peace to you (1 Thess 1:1). Amen.
Waiting is hard if it is something frightening like a visit to a dentist’s office. (I apologize to that profession. It is honorable.) And then the comment: “When is the nurse going to call my name?”
But it is also true if it is something fun like a matinee in a movie theater. And then the question: “When is the film going to start?”
So we encourage. “Sit still. It won’t be much longer before your mouth is sore.” (That might not be very compassionate.) Or “settle down. It won’t be much more before the lights are dim.”
What about Jesus’ return? He is coming. We can be patient because we have that promise. The apostle Paul writes to remind us of our responsibility to each other. Encourage one another about Judgement Day with caution, with confidence, and with comfort. We read from …
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who will come to judge the living and the dead,
It is kind of ominous, isn’t it? End times. Judgment Day.
And we are in the end times—both on the calendar of the church and in the history of the world. There are definite signs. All you have to do is look at the bulletin to spot the heading in bold print or log on to the internet to see something like another mass shooting—this time in Texas. It is sad, if not sickening. And there will be a final and last day of judgment.
But how do you regard it when all stand before him (Da 7:9)? A day of reckoning to be afraid of like a long root canal or a day of rejoicing to be glad about like the latest action flick? Moses had us pray to our eternal Lord: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps 90:12).
Paul gives us some direction as the day nears.
Encourage One Another about Judgment Day
1. With caution (1-3)
2. With confidence (4-8)
3. With comfort (9-11)
1. With caution (1-3)
We are not in doubt when it comes to an appointment because we have an email confirmation or a show because we have a ticket stub. The same is true of Judgment Day. While we might not be able to pinpoint it, we can prepare for it. Encourage one another with caution.
And the apostle addresses the issue with his “brothers” (1 Thess 5:1)—those with the same Father in heaven and the same faith in their hearts. [In fact, Paul uses that designation two times in this section of Scripture.] That is not fake or false, but serious and sincere. They belonged to the same family. That was how they were to view one and all. We can have that same attitude. Look around. Brothers and sisters. Not to fight with, but to firm up. To encourage.
We know that Jesus is coming. We don’t know when Jesus is coming. God decided that it is not necessary for us to have that information. It is pointless then to speculate. Jesus said as much: “No one knows about that day or hour” (Mt 24:36). And yet some try. It is useless.
That was part of Paul’s teaching the few weeks that he was in the city of Thessalonica. He simply summarizes: “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you” (1 Thess 5:1). There is a specific and significant moment that only God has on his calendar. We don’t have the necessity to have knowledge of exactly when like a child is unaware of when supper will be on the table. But from his comfy rocker in the living room, he can smell the microwave lasagna being nuked in the kitchen. It is soon that he will shovel it into his mouth. The uncertainty of the time doesn’t diminish the certainty of the meal.
Paul repeats the illustration that Jesus employed: “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2; cf. Mt 24:42,43). Paul had detailed that carefully for them so that there was no confusion. It will be unexpected like when a robber sneaks in to steal. He doesn’t call or text: “I hope that Thursday at 3:07 PM is open for you. I was thinking of stopping by for a few things that might interest me.”
It will catch many off guard. They will be proclaiming, “Peace and safety” (1 Thess 5:3). There is an outlook of false tranquility as they go about life. In other words they claim, “It is all good. No cause for concern.” But there will be no such calm or quiet. “Destruction will come on them suddenly” (1 Thess 5:3). Paul provides a picture of how quickly that will occur. Some of us understand it from experience—up close and personal. [That is why we have Mother’s Day.] Others of us only have observed from beside the hospital bed: “as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thess 5:3). Once the first contraction hits, there is no turning back as if she can reschedule or rethink. There is no way to change her mind or her condition—“But I don’t want to be pregnant.” She had nine months warning. And now it is here. It is unstoppable and irreversible just like Judgment Day.
There is no avoiding or evading the “day of the Lord” when he comes to divide believers and unbelievers like a shepherd easily and efficiently does with sheep and goats (Mt 25:32). Encourage one another about Judgment Day with caution. We don’t want to get caught up with the cares and concerns of life on earth that we forget about the pleasures and perfection of life in heaven that Jesus has prepared. Jesus is coming. We pray: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Re 22:20).
2. With confidence (4-8)
We are not in danger. A dentist is to help when there is a tooth issue and a movie is to entertain when there is free time. We don’t have to shy away from Judgment Day. Encourage one another with confidence.
Instead of a phony sense of security, the Thessalonians had a firm status of safety in view of Jesus’ entrance on earth again. Paul is emphatic: “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief” (1 Thess 5:4). None of this would shock them. They were informed and enlightened.
He calls attention to what they are: “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (1 Thess 5:5). There is a tremendous difference. Believers have a close relationship with the light and with the day.
We are in the light too as we follow the “Light of the world” (Jn 8:12)—Jesus, who removes our sin. And there is no connection with the opposite—darkness and night which separate us from God. Light is the direct opposite of darkness and day of night. There is nothing in common. That is a bit more apparent as it seems to be getting darker earlier.
And it will show in our conduct. “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep” (1 Thess 5:6). Sleep is a good thing. But Paul uses the idea that when a person is snoozing, he is unaware of what is going on around him. Such is an unbeliever. He or she is totally ignorant of what is coming. That is spiritual slumber.
Instead Paul urges us: “But let us be alert and self-controlled” (1 Thess 5:6). We are to stay awake—eyes open.
• Not like a napper. That one is oblivious to her surroundings. We are to be clear headed.
• Not like a drunk. That one is out of his senses. We are to be completely sober.
That is the way many try to get rid of the reality of problems—dozing off or drinking up. But that only creates more trouble. We want to be on the watch constantly for Jesus’ arrival again because Satan would have us look down at things like our hurts or our happiness. Our Savior would have us look up at things like forgiveness and freedom.
But our Lord does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. We can be attentive and sober—not active in nighttime pursuits, but energetic in daytime interests. “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night” (1 Thess 5:7). That is when most crimes and carousing occur—under the cover of darkness, when people assume that no one is watching. Not us—Paul, you, or me. “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thess 5:8). [We just celebrated Veteran’s Day. Thank you to those men and women who have served.] No soldier would head into battle semiconscious or slightly liquored up. That would be dangerous, if not deadly. We have God-given body armor, dressed for combat against the old evil foe and the evil in us and around us.
The breastplate covered a soldier’s chest against blows and arrows. Fling what the devil will—from despair to disbelief, we are safe and secure. Faith grabs ahold of God’s promises, confident that what he declares, he does.
And we respond with love—faith in action, expressing our thanks for all that he does like those on the king’s right—“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Mt 25:35,36). None of those are above or beyond us, too difficult or demanding. That is the evidence of faith in our hearts.
The helmet shielded the legionnaire’s head from fatal hits. God guards our minds as we have the definite realization that heaven is our home, guaranteed to us in Christ.
Dressed like that, we take our stand (Eph 6:11) for all of the 70 or 80 years that the psalmist mentioned (Ps 90:12)—or more, for some. And we will not fall. Encourage one another about Judgment Day with confidence. We will not be overwhelmed, but we will overcome with Christ by our side. Jesus is coming. We pray: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Re 22:20).
3. With comfort (9-11)
We are not in denial. Leaning back in that chair or lounging in that seat makes it clear of our intent—to have clean teeth or to have a good time. We know the reality of Judgment Day. Encourage one another with comfort.
Paul recalls for us God’s desire—to live with him, not without him. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:9). He never wanted us to experience the pain eternal separation from him. But to those who reject him, he reacts with those chilling words: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). And that severe punishment will never end (Mt 25:46).
But God has rescued us from that impossible situation of being lost in our sin—through the Lord—who is over all, Jesus—whose name means Savior, Christ—who shed his blood for us, speaks to us in his Word, who sits at God’s right hand. Or as Paul put it: “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (1 Thess 5:10). Jesus offered his life in our place and for our benefit—along with all people of all time, whether they are on the lookout for his reappearance or not. (Of course, there are those who refuse that.) He sends our sins away and will never send us away. Instead we will hear the sweet invitation: “‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Mt 25:34). And that life is eternal (Mt 25:46).
That was to be the topic of conversation among the Thessalonian brothers and sisters as if they put their arms around one another—as it was from brother to brother. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess 5:11). We can definitely talk about the weather or work, but there is more—one on one, whenever or wherever, as we gather for worship or as we chat on the phone or as we send notes over email or as we study together in class. It could be a gigantic hug or a sympathetic tear. Find those opportunities and occasions to strengthen each other with the good news that Jesus died. And that Jesus rose. And because he did, we will too. Encourage each other about Judgment Day with confidence. Jesus is coming. We pray: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Re 22:20).
And so we wait, not out of weariness like at the dentist’s office or movie theater, but with willingness to see the “Ancient of Days” take his seat and open his books where he has recorded our names (Da 7:9,10). But we do not fear. There is none of that when you walk into a courtroom and you are innocent. We are right with him—through Jesus. We greet Judgment Day happily, not groan about it heavily. We will be with the Lord forever (1 Thess 4:17). Encourage each other about Judgment Day …
with caution—be set,
with confidence—be sure,
with comfort—be certain.
Yes, come Lord, Jesus. We are ready. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (1 Thess 5:28). Amen.
November 12, 2017
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