ESOCS Devotional 14 May 2024 – When Will These Things Be?
MEMORY VERSE: “Now, brothers, about times and dates, we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NIV
TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 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. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 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. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
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So many theories and opinions have been put forth concerning the Day of the Lord. Some believe that the Second Coming, or Day of the Lord, will be an open event, as described in Matthew chapter 24. Some believe it is going to be a secret event when Christ will come for His Church. Some have also asserted that this will take place just before the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:2-3).
Also, within this latter group, some think the rapture will occur before the seven-year tribulation period. Some others think it will happen in the middle of the great tribulation. Yet, there are those who believe it will take place at the very end of the great tribulation (Revelation 7:14). Reference here in our text is probably to the end-time judgment of this sinful world (v 4). See also 1 Peter 3: 10-13. The judgment of the Lord will come as a thief because those upon whom it comes have rejected the warning of God through His written word. True believers are, however, prepared, and highly expectant of this great day. To this set of persons, the coming of the Lord is nothing to be afraid of (2 Peter 3:11-13).
The wicked will not escape accountability for their sins. Moreover, at no time in history when God brought judgment upon those who had rejected Him, did any offender escape His judgment. However, Christians are not uninformed concerning the judgment day of the Lord. Rather, they hopefully look forward to this great day. Christ is the eternal light that brings the truth to all. Those who have obeyed the gospel are, without doubt, the sons of eternal life of God. Moreover, those who are walking in the will of God are the ones walking in the light (Ephesians 5:8).
As sons of God, who are walking in the light of His will, they must not allow themselves to become indifferent to the coming of the Lord. Having been delivered out of the darkness of sin, they must not stray back into the ignorance of unrighteousness, (Romans 6:17-23; 1 Timothy 5:6). As far as the coming of the Day of the Lord is concerned, Christians must watch with responsibility. They must not be insensitive to the perilous times of the present day. They must strive earnestly to live in holiness and righteousness.
- Nobody should worry about the actual day of His coming. Just watch and pray. Do you agree?
- Lord Jesus, give me the grace to run this race to a successful end.
Further Reading: Exodus 8:1-32; 1 Kings 20:1-21; Mark 3:31-35
ESOCS Devotional 14 May 2024
