The Study Of You And The Future
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 (KJV)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
One of the most interesting questions to think about is, "What does the Bible say about the future?" When Jesus left the earth, the angels said, "This Jesus shall come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). We do not know the day or hour (Matthew 24:36), not even the time or season (1 Thessalonians 5:1), but He is coming again!
But someone might ask, "Why?" He is not coming to die for man. This is the reason He came the first time (Hebrews 9:28). He is not coming to start His kingdom, His church. This is what He did the first time (See Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10:7; Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1; Colossians 1: 13,14). But the Bible does say exactly what will happen when He comes.
First, when Jesus returns, the Bible says that at one time all the dead will be raised. Jesus said, "The hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth" (John 5:25).
All that are in the graves come forth at one time. This means that Noah, Abraham and all the righteous men of the Old Testament plus all the evil men who have ever lived - all will be raised! But more important YOU will be there to see Him.
Second, the Bible says that when Jesus comes the earth will be destroyed (Hebrews 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 3:10-12). Not only will the evil works on the earth end, but so will the earth itself! "The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). This earth will be no more after Jesus returns.
Third, the Bible says that when Jesus comes, the Final Judgment will take place. This is why He is to return. God has appointed a day when He will judge the world through Jesus (Acts 17:31) Every man who has ever lived will be there and will give account for how he has lived (2 Corinthians 5:10)! But more important, YOU will be there and you will give account how you lived.
Finally, the Bible says that when Jesus returns, the righteous will be with God and the evil will suffer forever (Matthew 25:46).
But what is to be the standard of that judgment? Jesus says that His words will be that standard (John 12:48). Let us suppose that He were to come today, and the Judgment were to take place. What things should we have done to please Him? The rest of this lesson is designed to help you look carefully at yourself so you can know what will happen to you on the Judgment day.
BELIEVING IN GOD
For one to be saved on that day, he must have faith. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is" (Hebrews 11:6) There is no other way; one must believe that God is. Do you?
BELIEVING IN JESUS
Not only must we believe in God, but we must believe in Jesus. He said, "Except you believe that I am He you shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). We must believe in Jesus. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
REPENTANCE
Repentance is a change of mind that causes a change in life. Even the devils believe (James 2:19). Salvation is not by faith alone (James 2:24). You must be willing to change.
Jesus said, "Except you repent you shall all perish" (Luke 13:3). If you believe that Jesus is the son of God, you must repent. Have you repented?
A MEMBER OF HIS CHURCH
Because the Lord adds the saved to His church, one must be in His church on that day (Acts 2:47). When He returns, it is this church that He will save (See Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 1:22,23). It is this kingdom which Jesus will give to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24). After Jesus left the earth, men have started many other churches wearing human names, worshipping in ways not found in the Bible, having human organization, and teaching many things not found in the Bible. Are you a member of the church begun by Jesus?
RIGHTEOUS LIVING
God expects His people to live righteous lives. The Bible talks of many sins and says we cannot live in sin and please Him. Read I Corinthians 6:9,10 and Galatians 5:19-21 to learn many of the things that displease God. The true Christian must be like Jesus. He should develop the fruit of the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-25). Are you trying to live right and to develop the fruit of the Spirit?
Special thanks to IBTM for these wonderful studies.
