Times and Seasons

We have nearly completed our study into 1 Thessalonians. However, that does not mean that there is still not much to be learned! In fact, chapter five hits some of the hardest topics for Christians to understand. Especially since the other chapters of the book were leading up to these last 28 verses. Today, we are only going to take a look at the first ten.

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

As we have discussed before, Paul is writting this letter to encourage the believers to remain strong in their faith. This is why chapter five begins with Paul telling the reader that they have no need for him to write to them about the times and seasons. They have Paul’s teachings, they know what God’s word says and they have what they need in order to understand the next stage of church history. Because of this, they are set apart from those who had fallen into the belief that the rapture had occurred and they missed it. The saying in verse two, “a thief in the night” is a reflection of 2 Peter 3:3-9, “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” For the believer who is not actively studying God’s word and seeing how He must fulfill His promises, it would be easy to fall into the belief that He is never coming. However, this is simply not true. For Christ to come for His bride as a “thief in the night” it is because there are individuals who will find His appearing unexpected and unseen because they have already rejected the promise of His coming. They fail to understand that it is not apathy that is keeping Jesus from coming for His bride, but a desire to have everyone come to know Him. It is an act of love and a desire that no one would perish (John 3:16).

Paul then seeks to remind the reader that they are not in darkness; but, because they belong to Jesus Christ, are in the light. As Christians, we need to be actively searching the scriptures to understand the promises that God still has to fulfill, as well as the signs preceding the Day of Wrath (look at Matthew 24:1-28). We will not be taken by surprise by the rapture because we should be actively awaiting it. It is important to note that the word “seasons” found in verse 1 stems from H2166 meaning “appointed time” Paul is using this word as a way for the reader to understand that the rapture and the appearance of the Antichrist occur at an appointed time, not a time that we can dictate to God.

The last couple of verses that we will discuss today end with a reminder that Paul gives to the reader. Verses 8-10 begin with another reminder that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, are of the day. Paul then points out to the reader that we should act as such. When you consider the language that Paul uses, telling the reader to put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of hope and salvation, it is not hard to connect to the Armor of God in Ephesians 6. We are meant to always be ready for the rapture but until that time that it occurs, we need to remember that we are still battling “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12b. Paul also reminds the reader again that when we place our faith in the works of Jesus Christ, He does not destine us for wrath, but for peace and security in Him.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex