WHEN WILL THE LORD ARRIVE?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
There is a branch of theological study called “Eschatology.” It is a compound word, originating from two Greek words: 1) “ἔó÷áôïò” , and 2) ëüãïò . The first is an adjective and means “end”, but when used as a noun it means “ends of time;” the second means “a word or saying, also means an account which one gives by word of mouth.” Thus, “eschatology” is the study about the end of times.
Due to the importance it holds in the Christian Doctrine, eschatology is the object of an enormous body of teaching in the Bible, as well as the basis for a larger body of heresies and false teaching. We will focus our search in the Eternal and Unique Word of God, the Bible and allow the Bible to enlighten us on the topic.
This sermon will address the question: “When Will The Lord Return?” In order to answer this question: first, the assurance of His Coming will be addressed; second the time of His Coming; and finally, the Christian’s preparation for His Coming. We should take to heart the words of D.L. Moody, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to transform our lives.” Nothing we study or consider in regard to Bible teachings is worth anything if we are not willing and ready to allow it to transform our lives as believers in our Glorious Lord!
I. The Assurance of His Coming
Is the Lord coming? Has He come and gone and we did not notice Him? These questions appear to go on the other sight of the “telephone call” in Thessalonica. The Christian faith is centered on Christ. From the Genesis to the Malachi the message of the Bible is “Christ is coming!” The Gospel accounts would speak loudly the message, “Christ has come!” And them from the last chapters of gospel accounts all the way to Revelation the message is “Christ is coming again!” The Hebrew Scriptures speak about the Hebrew nation as much as they were the tool to bring about Christ in the world. From Genesis 3:15 all the way to Malachi they are filled with prophecies about the coming Christ. Christ came once in the baby Jesus, who grew up, lived a perfect life and gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). His sacrificial death provided to mankind the opportunity to be with God forever. Those who claim this sacrificial death, do so, by placing their trust on Him (John 8:24), repenting of sin in their life (Acts 2:38; 17:30), confessing Him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and being baptized in His name for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38), having their sins washed away (Acts 22:16) to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4) placing hope in His return and to take them to be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; see also John 14:1-3).
Paul, Silvanus and Timothy (1:1) wanted to assure the Christians at Thessalonica about the coming of the Lord. Since they were forced to leave Thessalonica quickly, because of fierce opposition, they did not have adequate time to teach them about many things, especially about the Second Coming, the Return, or the Advent of the Lord. While they wanted to answer the brothers in Thessalonica about the destiny of the brothers who had died since the evangelists left the city, they provided the assurance of the Lord’s Return for generations who would read the Word of God after them, namely us. They wrote, “According to the Lord’s own word” (4:15). This teaching rests assure in the power of the Word of God. It is the same power who said at creation, “Let there be…” and as result “…there was…” It is El Shaddai, by His power and might that will cause it to come. The assurance lies in the belief “that Jesus died and rose again and…that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (4:14, emphasis added.)
The Word of God has given considerable amount to the Second Coming. Paul spoke about it in both letters to Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:9-10; 2:17-20; 3:11-13; 4:13-5:11; 5:23-24; 2 Thess 1:6-10; 2:1-12). It is important to note that every chapter in 1 Thessalonians concludes with Jesus return. It seems that the writers cannot say enough to assure the Thessalonians. He also spoke about to the neighboring Philippi (Philippians 3:20-21.) Jesus spoke about in His preparation of disciples (John 14:1-3; see also Matthew 23, 25; Mark 13-14; Luke 17:20-37). Peter gave word to his thoughts in regard to the Second Coming both in 1 and 2 Peter. John in his Revelation wrote about it. James and Jude wrote (James 5; Jude 6-8, 24-25). The Second Coming is assured by the space that it is given in the Word of God.
“…as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape…” (5:3) The metaphor used by the writers, the “labor pains on a pregnant woman” is another evidence of the assurance of the Lord’s Return. The same as the labor pains that are inescapable (see Genesis 3:16) so is the reality of Jesus’ Return.
II. The Time of His Coming
“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. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” (5:1-4).
The text is very clear and simple when it refers to the time of His Coming. “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…suddenly…this day should surprise…” All these statements point to a very simple truth: the day of the Lord cannot be timed. No one can know the time of the coming of the thief. This metaphor is used by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 24:43) It appears that Paul has learned it from Jesus. Jesus said, “If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” (Matthew 24:43). The thief comes unexpectedly. It is his intent to take by surprise. You cannot plan the time for the thief to come. In the same way, it is with the Second Coming. The “thief” imagery is also involved by the apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:10). It appears that both Paul and Peter have learned it from the Master.
“…suddenly…” This is another way of saying that the time cannot be defined.
“…this day should surprise…” Some people, on this day, will be taken by surprise.
There were some false reports that had gone out and prompted the trio “Paul-Silas-Timothy” to pen a second letter to the Thessalonians. In 2:1-12, they write about the coming of the “man of lawlessness” that would precede the Second Coming.
Jesus spoke about the inability of projecting the time of His return. The focus of His parables on Matthew 25 is in the need to be vigilant since the time of His coming is uncertain. The follower of Christ should live in expectance of His returning anytime.
If we were to know one thing for sure about the 2nd Coming that would be: “No one can know the exact time of His coming.” What arrogance on those who think that they can know the time of His coming. Those who have made efforts to do so, have failed in their pinpointed time so badly, and brought shame upon themselves (and for that matter will continue to do so).
III. The Impact of His Coming
It is sure that He will come, and the time of His Coming cannot be pinpointed. The trio of writers is interested in having the Thessalonian brothers have their life impacted by the reality of Jesus’ Return.
First of all, they want them to have hope (4:13). The Christian’s hope is in the return of the Lord. When He returns, they say that there is going to be a claiming from God. Those Thessalonian Christians who feared for or where uncertain for the destiny of their loved ones who had died, were kept sure in the Lord’s Coming. “…those who have fallen asleep in him…” will be raised first. Then those alive will be caught in the air with Him. Both then would be with the Lord forever.
Second, this teaching was meant to “encourage each other” and “build each other up” (4:18, 5:11). This was another impact that these teaching was to have. This teaching would promote and bring about growth in the life of the Christians. In the case of the Thessalonians this would make them stand their ground in front of persecution and tribulations.
Third, this teaching called for watchfulness. “…let us be alert and self-controlled…” They were to live as children of light and not of darkness. Their hope needed to be in what was coming and not on the circumstances of their life. The teaching meant that they would live every moment as Christ was coming at any moment.
Finally, it was meant to produce holiness in their lives. “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” (1 Thess 5:4-10).
Conclusion
At the heart of the gospel is the hope of Jesus return to claim His people. He promised that He will do so. This hope seems to have been shaken in Thessalonica, and this caused Paul, Silas and Timothy to write this letter. They assured them of the reality of Jesus’ coming. They spoke in keeping with the teachings of the Bible that the time of His coming is not known. Therefore, the Christians were to have hope, be encouraged and built up by these, to be watchful and conduct holy lives.
Knowing these truths and the hope that is in them we can say with John, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
