Devotions

The Day of the Lord is Coming

by  • 

Paul is nearing the end of this letter and wants to tell them one more important message. Though we live in the world and the cycle of life and death is happening around us, yes even to our loved ones, we have a future and a hope. When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise, and we will follow. So, don’t grieve as the world does, instead, live quiet and sober lives, ready for the day of Christs return. Until then, “always pursue good toward one another”. 

The Dead in Christ Will Rise First

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Many years have passed since the Lord rose to take his place in heaven. And, many Christians have lived their lives and gone on to be with the Lord. Naturally, we grieve when a friend or loved one dies but it isn’t grief without hope as the world has. Paul reminds them in

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (LEB) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.

 

The Day of the Lord is Coming

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Paul now goes on to say that we should expect the Lord to return, but we don’t know when that will be. We do though, know what will happen before he returns, in

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (LEB) Whenever they say “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of a pregnant woman, and they will not possibly escape.

We though, should be awake, we in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 “but must be on the alert and be self-controlled”. Not only ready, but we ought to in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “encourage one another and build up each other” 

Always Pursue Good Toward One Another

1 Thessalonians 5:12–28
As Paul brings this letter to a close, he admonishes them first to care for their Christian leaders in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them beyond all measure in love, because of their work”.

Then he says care for one another in 1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 “Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, console the discouraged, help the sick, be patient toward all people. 15 See to it that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good toward one another and toward all people”.

And finally he tells them each individually in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 “Rejoice … Pray … give thanks … do not quench the Holy Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, … hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil”.

Paul puts three thought together here that are important for us to recognize. He says, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit” and then says “Do not despise prophecies”. Prophecy is a gift, as is Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom and tongues and interpretation and these gifts are given to people. Sometimes people blurt out what God has given them at the wrong time and sometimes people add their own comments to what God has told them so Paul finishes his comment about the Holy Spirit and these gifts by saying, “examine all things; hold fast to what is good”. Prophecy is valuable for us,a s are the other gifts. We should cherish them and encourage them, even if they sometimes cause a delay or disruption in what we have planned. Lets first honor the Holy Spirit and encourage the gifts.

And here are some other references to the move of the Holy Spirit among us, “You always resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51); do not quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19); why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? (Acts 5:3); you have not lied to men but to God (Acts 5:4); why have you agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? (Acts 5:9); they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:10); do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed (Eph. 4:30); a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14); blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven (Matt. 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10)”.1

2 Thessalonians Introduction

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2

That You May be Considered Worthy of the Calling

2 Thessalonians 1:3–12

They Did Not Accept the Love of the Truth

2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

God Has Chosen You as First Fruits

2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

That the Word of the Lord May Progress

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

Working with Quietness, Eat Your Own Bread

2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

May the Lord of Peace Grant You Peace

2 Thessalonians 3:16–18

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

References

  • 1. Day, A. C. (2009). Collins Thesaurus of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.