Gospel Wednesday: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Be Ready
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
I Thessalonians 5:1-28 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.5.1-28.NKJV
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
I Thessalonians 5:1-6 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.5.1-6.NKJV
According to this text we must ever be ready for the return of the Lord.
About 2 Sundays ago, the preacher at my church, Stephen Wiggins, preached a wonderful sermon on future events that ties in with today's lesson.
1. Second coming of Christ
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.9.28.NKJV
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.1.7.NKJV
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.4.16-17.NKJV
2. Resurrection of the dead
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.5.28-29.NKJV
3. Judgement of Christ
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
II Corinthians 5:10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.5.10.NKJV
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41-41, 46 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.25.31-46.NKJV
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.14.12.NKJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/ecc.12.13-14.NKJV
4. Delivering of the kingdom
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
I Corinthians 15:24 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.15.24.NKJV
5. Universe destroyed
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
II Peter 3:10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2pe.3.10.NKJV
These events will take place in the above order: Jesus will return. All will see Him(Revelation 1:7) This will be a noisy event not a silent rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Then the dead will rise. Those who have done good to eternal life. Those who have done evil to eternal condemnation (John 5:28-29).
We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Jesus will separate the saved from the unsaved as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The righteous will go to heaven. The unrighteouness to hell (Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41, 46).
We will all give account to God (Romans 14:12).
So let's fear God and keep His commandments. He will bring everything into judgment even our secret sins we think no one knows about (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Christ will then deliver the kingdom to God (1 Corinthians 15:24) and then this universe will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10).
Considering all this let's make sure we're ever ready by obeying the Gospel and remaining faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).
If you have not obeyed the Gospel then please obey today before it's everlasting too late.
The Gospel in a nutshell
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.15.1-4.KJV
1. Hear
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.17.KJV
2. Believe
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:24 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.8.24.KJV
3. Repent
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.3.KJV
4. Confess
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.32.KJV
5. Be baptized
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.16.16.KJV
6. Remain faithful
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.10.KJV
For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ.
Baptism
Why Are There So Many Churches?
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
I Thessalonians 5:1-28 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.5.1-28.NKJV
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
I Thessalonians 5:1-6 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.5.1-6.NKJV
According to this text we must ever be ready for the return of the Lord.
About 2 Sundays ago, the preacher at my church, Stephen Wiggins, preached a wonderful sermon on future events that ties in with today's lesson.
1. Second coming of Christ
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.9.28.NKJV
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.1.7.NKJV
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.4.16-17.NKJV
2. Resurrection of the dead
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.5.28-29.NKJV
3. Judgement of Christ
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
II Corinthians 5:10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.5.10.NKJV
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41-41, 46 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.25.31-46.NKJV
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.14.12.NKJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/ecc.12.13-14.NKJV
4. Delivering of the kingdom
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
I Corinthians 15:24 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.15.24.NKJV
5. Universe destroyed
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
II Peter 3:10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2pe.3.10.NKJV
These events will take place in the above order: Jesus will return. All will see Him(Revelation 1:7) This will be a noisy event not a silent rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Then the dead will rise. Those who have done good to eternal life. Those who have done evil to eternal condemnation (John 5:28-29).
We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Jesus will separate the saved from the unsaved as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The righteous will go to heaven. The unrighteouness to hell (Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41, 46).
We will all give account to God (Romans 14:12).
So let's fear God and keep His commandments. He will bring everything into judgment even our secret sins we think no one knows about (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Christ will then deliver the kingdom to God (1 Corinthians 15:24) and then this universe will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10).
Considering all this let's make sure we're ever ready by obeying the Gospel and remaining faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).
If you have not obeyed the Gospel then please obey today before it's everlasting too late.
The Gospel in a nutshell
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.15.1-4.KJV
1. Hear
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.17.KJV
2. Believe
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:24 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.8.24.KJV
3. Repent
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.3.KJV
4. Confess
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.32.KJV
5. Be baptized
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.16.16.KJV
6. Remain faithful
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.10.KJV
For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ.
Baptism
Why Are There So Many Churches?
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
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