Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 7 Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.
Paul addressed the question of when the Lord would return. In OT prophetic writings, “Day of the Lord (v. 2) was used to describe the Lord’s coming in power and destroying his enemies in a final battle (Amos 5:18; Is. 13:6). Since Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9), Paul is referring to Christ’s second coming in glory at the end of time (1 Cor. 1:8; Phil. 1:6). This first letter to the Thessalonians was written around 50 AD. There was peace throughout the Mediterranean world at that time (Pax Romana c. 27 BC to c. 180 AD) and Paul warned that the false sense of security which may have resulted from the Roman slogan “Peace and Security (v. 3)” could lead to sudden disaster. Those who were following the teachings of Jesus (walking in the light) should not be complacent but be vigilant and sober.
In the battle for their salvation, they must be like warriors and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of hope. Christians are destined for salvation (but not predestined) which was earned for them through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is assured for those who fight a good fight (1 Tim. 1:18) whether they have already fallen asleep or are alive. If we mutually encourage each other, we will strengthen the Church.
Almighty God, grant us the fortitude to remain vigilant and sober and to fight a good fight for our salvation. Shower us with your sanctifying grace so we may pass from our former ways to newness of life and be made ready for the glory of your heavenly Kingdom. This we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen!
__________________________________
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments