Not When but How

Today we get into the first half of the very last chapter of 1 Thessalonians (can be read in its entirety here). This chapter continues with a similar theme of what we saw Paul mention at the very end of chapter 4. The Thessalonians expressed concern about believers who died before Jesus returned (4:13-18). From this passage we gather that they also had concerns about WHEN Jesus would return.

Not When but How

Jesus taught that only the Father knows the time of His return and of God’s judgment of the world (Matthew 24:36).

1 Thessalonians 1-3 “Now, brothers and sisters, 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. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

As Paul teaches about the return of the Lord, he reminds believers that the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown. Instead, he draws our attention to what truly matters—how believers choose to wait, focusing not on predicting the timing but on the attitude and way they live as they await His coming.

He emphasizes the importance of being prepared rather than ignorant. Paul uses two illustrations to describe the return of the Lord: a thief in the night and labor pains on a woman. Both highlight the unpredictable timing of Christ’s return and the certainty of experiencing it.

Aware and Alert

Paul then goes on to contrast the believer with being children of the light/day with the unbeliever who is of the darkness/night. The unbeliever is spiritually blind and is not anticipating Christ’s return, and those who have not placed their faith in Christ will be caught off guard. But because we are redeemed and reconciled with God through the blood of Jesus, we are now His children of the day and light, therefore we need to be aware and soberminded about such things.

Armour Up

As Paul contrasts the believer and unbeliever here, this passage gives us some pointers on living expectantly in light of Christ’s return.

To be alert and self-controlled (v6)

To put on Faith, love and the hope of salvation (v8)

Hold onto the Truth that in eternity we live together with Him (v10)

The enemy desires to destroy our faith. He often strives to do this through discouragement, focusing on our disappointments, and making us doubt God’s goodness. We do not battle against flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 says “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Like it or not, as Christians, we’re in a battlefield. Just as a warrior wears armor, Ephesians 6 reminds us of the armor we’re meant to put on as we face the enemy. In this passage, Paul highlights the breastplate and helmet, both designed to protect vital organs in battle, such as the heart and mind.

Being Intentional with what Fills your Mind

With the abundance of what fills our minds today, it is easy to allow ourselves to get distracted and unknowingly we can let that dictate how we feel and maybe even think. Philippians 4:8 says “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Be intentional with what protects your mind and your heart, that will keep you spiritually strong in this battle with our enemy. A simple example I can relate this is with what I consume on social media. With algorithms that dictate what fills our feed, one can easily get fed a certain narrative or predominant opinion that can steal one’s peace. I find myself having to be very intentional with curating what can be on my social media feed, so I am not at the disposal of the enemy trying to fill me with a doom and gloom perspective. It is necessary to be informed but not weighed down by it all. More of God and His word will enable us to be rooted and strong.

Mutual Encouragement

As Paul speaks of Christ’s certain return, he reminds the Thessalonians of the hope they hold—and that we share today as God’s children—we are not meant for wrath but for salvation (v9) and life with Christ (v10). Jesus rescued us from the wrath we deserved by paying the price for our sins on the cross. So, rather than letting our circumstances or the state of the world shake our trust in what’s to come, let’s encourage and build one another up with this truth: our King will return, and our time here is only temporary. May we never let the enemy dim the hope promised to all who have placed their faith in Jesus.

God Bless.