I Thessalonians 5 "Christ's Coming Judgment; Exhortations and Precepts" This Bible Study is written by Roger
Christopherson, and made available with written
permission by http://www.theseason.org I Thessalonians 5:1 "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." This chapter picks up and continues from where the fourth chapter left off. So we are not ignorant where the dead are; we know that if Christ arose, then the dead also have arose; and the last point is the fact that death can not hold God's people. The simple verse of John 3:16 states that "Whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." To "perish" is to die, and if you believe God's Word, why would you ever believe that when a person dies, and his body is placed in the ground, that his soul would stay there; even for one moment. "Everlasting life" is eternal life; and that is an continuous life from the point of receiving Christ. Don't let the traditions of men take away from the Word of God. In I Thessalonians 5:1, Paul is saying, "I just told you the events that would transpire before the Lord Jesus Christ returns". We know the season it will be; and an event that will take place. First, the two witnesses will be slain in Jerusalem, and put on display in a wide street [arena] there. Then for three and a half days the world will celebrate the death [murder] of the two by Antichrist, and Paul gives us more information as to the times just prior to Christ's return. I Thessalonians 5:2 "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." We should know this "perfectly well", because it is written in God's Word, and Paul has told us in many of his writings that when Christ returns it will be at the last [seventh] trump. This day of Christ's return is called "the day of the Lord". On this day Jesus Christ will come to earth, make all things right; establish His kingdom, and reign over that earthly kingdom for one thousand years [millennium] period. There is no confusion in God's word about this, friend, for it is written in the Bible. It will come to pass exactly as it is written. If your in the "rapture doctrine" it will be a surprise to you. I Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." "For when they"; they , are the people of the world, those people of the night [from verse 5:2]. There is not going to be any fly away" at that time. The "destruction" that comes over the people of the earth is the fact that "truth" of God's Word will become extinct. There will be none: for if you believe in the "any moment doctrine", then you will not be sealed in your mind that the first Christ is the false Christ. It simply will be to late for you [see Revelation 9:1-5]. The ones called " they" are also the media: the TV, radio, and printed press and they are shouting "Peace and safety". This has been going on for the past thirty years, and with the fall of the Soviet Union, they shout it even louder. The tool for this "Peace and safety" is their Godless one world system [The political beast]. Is there peace and safety? Ask the people in Jerusalem, or in New York, or tune on the news as see all the terror in the Word. We thought so at the rate we have allowed ourselves to dismantle our weapons, and ship the factories overseas. This "New World Order [the U.N.] is the means by which the world is relying on for "peace and safety". Paul said that when we hear this come to pass, as it is happening now, then comes this "Woman in travail"; which is the sudden destruction upon the whole earth. This "travail" is mentioned in Matthew 24, and Mark 13, as well as other places, and Jesus called it "Labor pains". Why? Because when it happens, the travail will be exactly as the contractions a woman has in labor. You will know ahead of time with plenty of warning, and as each prophetic event comes, those pains or events of the end times get closer and closer until the ones at the end are in rapid order, coming at the same time. Jesus gave us the six sign to watch for, so that we would not be deceived. Yet most Christians today chose to not believe Jesus. These signs get closer and closer until the child is born. Only instead of the birth of a child; it will be the birth of a new age. That age is called, "Christ's Kingdom", or the millennium age. When we know God's Word, we know He comes at the seventh trump, and the events, all events must come before then. It's in the Bible, so that we would not be deceived. I Thessalonians 5:4 "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." We are children of light rather then darkness, because we listen to God's Word, rather then the traditions of men. When you have God's word in your mind, and know it; when the famine for truth comes, you will be able to see all the signs, and know just how close Christ's return is. It is the Holy Spirit within you that will allow you to see through the darkness of lies and deception, and the Antichrist and his system will not be appealing to you. I Thessalonians 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." All people claiming to be Christians and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are children of the light. Anytime a prophecy in Revelation or else where is given in days or years, it is written to Christians. When the prophecies pertain to the "prince of darkness", or given in months, which is set by the moons of the night, that prophecy is directed only to Satan and his children. An example is Revelation 13:4, where it says "he shall have forty two months", it is Satan that shall have the forty two months. However we know from Revelation 9:5,10, that that time has been shortened to five months, for the elect's sake. The two witnesses are of God, and written in Revelation 11. The time relating to them is given as 1,260 days. This refers to the prophecy of the children of light, God's witness. I Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." Don't let your mind go to sleep, as to your attention to the signs and the Word of God. Rest is important, and you need it to think and work, but see that your mind stays awake to the warnings, and teachings of God's Word. Stay tuned to the "signs and the times", so that you are not caught off guard. I Thessalonians 5:7 "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." This drunkenness is the stupor of the deception of the Antichrist, and his religious beast. Paul wants you awake and alert to what is going on in the world around you. This verse is written to a person [you and I] living in the generation just prior, and during the Lord's return. That generation is our generation, and the signs and happenings are things we are reading in the news daily. If your a child of the night, you are in a "drunken stupor", and you are open to the deceptions of the Antichrist [Satan], and his system that is well formed today. I Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." This verse is a double witness to Ephesians 6:10-20. Each of these items, are part of the Christians armor to fight the spiritual warfare coming upon us. Many Christians are going to be deceived into looking for a physical battle; when the war of our generation will be a spiritual war. A war of words, ideas, concepts and precepts which are all over God's Word [Bible]. Why would you need God's word, if your going to fly out of here? Armor has only one use, and that is for protection. It is to "stand against the fiery darts of Satan". Ephesians 6:12; "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers [world rulers] of the [this] darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places." The "darkness of this world" are Satan's entire world system of demons, deceptions by Satan's offspring the Kenites, and all those doctrines of demons and false teaching. Even the false shepherds who teach and know not the truths of God's Word are part of the "darkness of this world". I Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ," You don't have to hide away to escape God's wrath upon the world. He is your Father, and loves you. God controls all that will come upon the earth, and Revelation 9:1-4 tells us He is the one who even gives the keys of Authority to Satan. Antichrist is the star that will fall to this earth, and he is Satan. Your salvation from God's wrath will only come through your faith in Jesus Christ. When Satan comes to earth, the first seals of Revelation, and Matthew 24, and Mark 13 will have taken place and be present. These are seals of deception, brought on by Satan's claim to be the true Christ. Those claims will be backed up with wondrous works, and miracles, as well as world peace and prosperity to all the world. Your only hope of not being deceived is to know exactly what will come about, and when it does come, it will be prophecy of God's word coming true. You will not have to worry about what to say, for when the time comes to give answer, it will be the Holy Spirit speaking through you [see Mark 13:11]. I Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together in Him." This goes all the way back to verse [4:13]; whether Christians are dead in the flesh body or alive. This is what Paul is talking about here. It makes no difference, for upon Christ's return, those alive and upon this earth will all be changed into their spiritual bodies, and be as those who have passed on before them. When we are alive in the flesh, we are also alive in, and with Christ. Christ lives in our hearts and minds, and your always alive as a Christian. I Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another [build up each other], even as also you do." We are to correct our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Don't be afraid to give support, or advise to your Christian friends, or to seek help. We are to be of comfort to each other at a time of loss. I Thessalonians 5:12 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" I Thessalonians 5:13 "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." Accept advise from those over you in the Lord. Let the Scriptures be the authority of correction, and don't get mad at the person using God's Word. We should not rely on books of the worldly mind for advise, but form a habit in relying on the Bible. I Thessalonians 5:14 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded [encourage the faint hearted], support the weak, be patient toward all men." The "unruly" are those who cause trouble in the congregation; while the feeble minded are those who have trouble understanding. We are to be patient with them, as with all in the congregation . I Thessalonians 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." When you fall and come short of God's standard, repent and get back on track. If others do you wrong, leave it up to the Lord to admonish. I Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice evermore." This is good advice, there is always something to rejoice over. I Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Thank the Lord continually for all blessings, and provisions he has allowed us to have. I Thessalonians 5:19 "Quench not the Spirit." Be positive and outgoing in the Holy Spirit. I Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings." That is the prophecy from God's Word. I Thessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." When you hear the word being taught, check it out for yourself. In doing so, it will help you to remember. I Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thessalonians 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." In following Paul's advise in the earlier verses, it is to keep all parts of our being healthy; body, soul, and spirit, so that at the coming of Christ we will be acceptable to Christ. That coming will be shortly, however, at death it is instant. I Thessalonians 5:24 "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." God is faithful to keep all of His word, and His promises He will keep to the letter of His word. He is in control of all things on this earth and He extends that protection and provision to His own. I Thessalonians 5:25 "Brethren, pray for us." We need to support each other in our prayers. I Thessalonians 5:26 "Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss." This is a common salute in all the churches, as we see also in Romans 16:16. Today in many Christians, it is still used in friendship between Christian brethren. I Thessalonians 5:27 "I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." Paul charges the leaders at Thessalonica to read and study this letter, and to every person in the church. It is important for in this letter, as we have just studied, it is instruction in all matters of our Christian lives. It governs our relationship to God, and our Christian brethren. It also answered the questions bothering them; as to where the dead in Christ are, and when would Christ's return be. I Thessalonians 5:28 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A'-men." And "Amen".
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