1 Thessalonians – Week 7 – Day 1

READ 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 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. 

Here Paul was not writing about the rapture when believers are caught up into the air to meet Jesus. He was writing about the “day of the Lord,” which includes not only a time of judgment, but also of blessing during the kingdom on earth. Paul had discussed this with the Thessalonian believers and reminded them it would come unexpectedly—like a thief. The certainty of it coming was likened to a woman expecting a child. Believers have been raptured so those remaining are unbelievers and there will be “no escape.” 

REFLECT 

Whether you understand how everything will develop in the future, do you have confidence that God is in control and has a plan? 

RESPOND 

Some say people do not want to hear about prophecy. If so, at least 20 percent of the Bible would be neglected. With your friend, read 2 Peter 3:10-11 to see that just knowing about the possibility of future events should cause the followers of Jesus to want to live “holy and godly lives.”