Best Day Ever
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5
I don’t think we talk about eternity enough. I can recall lectures in which one of my college professors discussed different perspectives and viewpoints regarding eschatology, or in other words, the doctrine of end times.
I think many shy away from this particular subject largely because of uncertainty. And for most, uncertainty actually leads to more doubt or fear. Maybe reading about it can feel intimidating or scary but my hope is in writing on this topic, it instills a calmness and confidence in Christ.
How can those two co-exist? I think of individuals that work in high intensity jobs yet are required to remain calm in a crisis. Thank God for doctors, police officers, firefighters, and more who so valiantly risk their own security for the saving of another.
I think of the apostle Paul too. He knew firsthand the physical threat and persecution because he was a believer. Yet he remained confident in Christ and encouraged the church of Thessalonica to do the same.
1 Thessalonians 5: 1 begins, “About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you.”
We won’t know what time of day or what season (fall, winter, spring, summer) in which the day of the Lord will take place (Mat. 24:36).
He continues in verses 3 and 4, “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘Peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
The imagery of a thief, an unexpected visitor, can instill fear into one’s heart and mind. Imagining labor pains instills dread. Was Paul’s intention to scare or encourage fellow Christians by addressing the day of the Lord?
Those who preach certainty and security refers to those who are not born again. They won’t expect destruction but their future will end in judgment and ultimately, eternal punishment because of the righteous wrath of God.
Paul encourages the people of God of who and whose they are. Those who are in Christ do not need to worry or fear the second coming of Jesus. Why?
Verses 4 and 5 affirm, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.”
Theologian John Gill writes, “But now these persons were called out of darkness, turned from it, and delivered from the power of it; and therefore knew that the day of the Lord comes as above described [...].”
Friend, cling to these three truths:
You don't have to fear the darkness because you are a child of the Light.
You don’t need to dread the day of the Lord because you are a child of the Day.
You don’t have to doubt your salvation or future because you belong to the One “who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy… “ (Jude 1: 24).
For now, we continue “waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life” (Jude 1: 20-23) as we await the best day ever.
For now and forever, we praise “the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1: 25).
