The Day Of The Lord

September 28

Isaiah 51-53

Psalm 107:10-16

Proverbs 23:29-35

I Thessalonians 5:1-11

The Day Of The Lord

“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’  then sudden destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape.  But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do but let us be awake and sober.”  I Thessalonians 5:2-6 LSB

Yesterday we discussed the rapture of the church and I gave the reasons I believe that the rapture will occur before the tribulation period begins.  Another issue with the rapture that many people disagree about is the timing.  For as long as I can remember there have been people who have set dates for the rapture.  All of those dates have come and gone and every one of them was wrong.  I do not believe that date setting is wise.  In Matthew 24:36 Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  LSB  Unfortunately, many have taken that passage to mean that we can’t know when the rapture will happen so we don’t even need to talk about it.  They choose to just ignore the issue and if anyone brings it up they dismiss them and quote this verse.  I believe ignoring the rapture is just as dangerous as date setting.  Today’s passage in I Thessalonians makes the argument that believers should be watching.  We should be aware of the signs of the times.  The rapture will come like a thief in the night for unbelievers, but we are not in darkness.  While we cannot know the day and the hour of His return, we absolutely will be able to see the season as it approaches.  He has given us numerous signs to watch for His coming.  All of those events are converging now.  The rapture is a signless event, but the tribulation period is not.  We are given several signs to watch for so that we can know when it is about to begin.  If the rapture happens before the tribulation period then we can be assured that if the tribulation period is approaching, the rapture is approaching even faster.  Wars and rumors of wars, an increase in false prophets and teachers, famines, natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, plagues and epidemics, signs in the heavens, and the persecution of Christians are just a few of the signs Jesus said would increase as the tribulation draws near. These things have always been around.  Their occurrence is not new, but what is new is the convergence of all of them happening at the same time.  If you turn on the news today, you can expect to find a story about every one of them.  There has never been a time in history when all of these things were happening at the same time and with the frequency and intensity they are occurring now.  There is another amazing clue Paul gave us, “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ sudden destruction will come on them suddenly.”  Everywhere we turn we are hearing the phrase, “Peace and safety” or “Peace and security.”  It is remarkable.  It is the popular talking point of our day. 

Paul tells us to be awake and sober as we see the day approaching.  What does that mean?  Should we sell all our possessions and go live off-grid somewhere in Montana and wait for Him?  Definitely not!  Should we be afraid and spend all our time worrying and trying to figure out the exact day.  I don’t think so.  I believe being awake and sober means that we recognize that He could return any minute.  It may be today, next week or next year, but it won’t be long.  I believe it will be in our lifetime.  When He appears in the sky we should not be surprised because we are expecting Him.  And it should give us an urgency to share the gospel with anyone who will listen because the time is short.  We don’t want anyone to be left behind to have to go through the terrible tribulation that is coming on the world.  Are you awake?