1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - True Christians Don't Die Hopeless
1-3 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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.
-1 Thes 5:1-3 The "day of the Lord," is the time when God's judgment falls on an unbelieving world, which occurs after the rapture.
-it will catch unbelievers by surprise and will smash their sense of security with a destruction that none will escape.
4-8 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 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.
(4-5)-Believers are called not to be in darkness regarding the return of Christ.
-As children of light they are in stark contrast to those who dwell in darkness.(6--8)-Believers are to stay spiritually awake and, preparing for the return of Jesus.
-There is a distinction between believers and unbelievers regarding readiness for the day of the Lord's return.
-Believers are called to live as children of the day, maintaining a lifestyle marked by vigilance and sobriety.
-They are reminded of the world they used to belong to and what they’ve been saved from.
-Faith and love as spiritual armor to protect them against darkness and allow them to stand firm in the light of Christ.
-Believers are contrasted as children of light, with those who belong to darkness.
9-11 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do
-God chose to save us through Jesus, not to pour out his anger on us.
-Refers to the moment of the rapture and the 7-year tribulation period that follows.
-There's to be mutual encouragement and support among believers.
-The hope in Christ is to be shared, and there is the call to uplift one another.
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