February 11th Follow-up

1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord is coming, get ready

Apparently, there was some confusion among the believers in Thessalonica about the Day of the Lord. Paul told them two things. First, the Day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night. Second, the Day of the Lord would come when people are saying peace and safety.

The term Day of the Lord encompasses a period of time that includes the 7-year tribulation period also known as the 70 Week of Daniel. Jesus said this in Matthew 24:

Matthew 24:21–22 (ESV) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

During this time there will be famines, wars, and plagues. Unless you receive the mark of the beast, you won’t be able to work which means you won’t be able to buy. Does that remind you of anything from a couple of years ago? Billions of people will die during these 7 years. This will be a period of time that is unparalleled in all of human history.

Paul says the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Meaning it will come when the world is unprepared for what is to come. People will go about their daily lives like normal. Jesus said this in Matthew 24 as well:

Matthew 24:38–39 (NIV) For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Paul says people will be declaring peace and safety when sudden destruction comes. The tribulation period will begin with the anti-Christ signing a 7-year peace agreement with the
nation of Israel. Peace and safety.

Folks, the day of God’s wrath is coming and I believe it is soon. Just as I believe the rapture is soon. I hold to a pretribulation view of the rapture as do many others. If we are gone before the tribulation period begins, why should we care? Because all of us know people we care about who aren’t saved or who profess to be saved, but may not be, who will find themselves coming
under God’s wrath. These folks will still have an opportunity to be saved.

You might say what can I do. First, be diligent in sharing the good news with them. Secondly, warn folks about what is coming. Whether they believe you or not is not the issue. If we let those we care about know what is coming, at least we have planted seeds. And maybe, just maybe when those things begin to happen, they will remember what we told them and turn to Jesus.