“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, NASB 95).
Many of us keep emergency kits in our homes or cars that include such things as flashlights, first-aid supplies, and blankets. We often do this so that, in the case of an emergency, we are prepared. When we are prepared for something, we are peaceful rather than panicked.
In a similar way, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they did not need to worry about the coming day of the Lord. By God’s grace, they are children of the light by faith in Christ. As God’s children, they have been given in His Word His plans for the future. The result of knowing both should cause genuine peace in a world of trouble.
In chapter 5 of 1 Thessalonians, having already discussed the subject of the rapture of the church, Paul shifts to focus on the future day of the Lord. The day of the Lord can be understood as a special time in the future when the Lord will intervene in the affairs of human history to fulfill His purposes. Paul begins by telling them one reason that they should be at peace rather than panic. What is that? Paul had already told them about the day of the Lord, and so they knew “full well” what to expect. God’s children have His plans revealed in His Word.
“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”1
On the other hand, the unbelieving world will carry on as it always does. Then, unexpectedly, the Lord will intervene and catch them off guard like a thief that comes in the night. It is interesting that the world will be speaking of peace, but it will be a false peace. Humanity cannot produce true peace, as that comes from the Lord alone.
Paul further confirms the difference between believers and unbelievers. A person who has trusted in Christ is now a son of the light, whereas the person who has not is still in darkness.
“We belong to a different day, a different dispensation, day of grace.”2
Just like today, the unbeliever will be living as they always have been, with no concern for God or the things of God until the day of the Lord suddenly comes upon them. In the meantime, we are called to live in peace, trusting God’s future plans for His people, and to share the good news of Christ while there’s still time. The best way to prepare for the future is to walk with Him in the present.
Lord, I simply thank You today for two truths. First, I am a child of Yours by faith in Christ. Second, as a child, I have Your plans for the future revealed in Your Word. May I rest in the peace of these two truths today. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Steven
Senior Pastor-Teacher
Decatur Bible Church
www.delightingministries.com/dpress
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1 Isaiah 46:10.
2 John Walvoord. 1 & 2 Thessalonians, pg. 93.