1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, “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.”
On Wednesday morning, my Apple News app top story was, “U.S. Inflation reached 30-year high in October.” Next, I checked my Fox News app, and the breaking news reported there was, “Consumer prices surge at stunning rate as supply chain crisis hits Americans.” It is depressing if I focus too long on current headlines or the market conditions of high demand and low supply of the raw ingredients I sell in my job. Expected time of arrivals are no longer accurate. But there is more than merely today’s toil. As “children of light, children of the day,” we wonder when the second coming of Christ will occur, because our hope is in eternity with Christ. In Acts 1:7, it states, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Paul was teaching the Thessalonians regarding the return of Jesus and the importance of being ready for Christ’s return, in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5.
Verse 2 of 1 Thessalonians 5, declares, “. . . will come like a thief in the night.” A thief never announces when he is coming or the exact time of his appearance. Paul was not about setting dates for prophecy. Jesus in Matthew 24:36 declared, “of that day and hour no one knows.” God wants us to be prepared and ready because we are told it will be unexpected. Calamities throughout the world will have an increase in intensity and frequency, which refers to “sudden destruction” and “labor pains” that will give birth to a new age. “God has ordained times and seasons for the nations on the earth, particularly Israel, and all of this will culminate in a terrible time called “the day of the Lord.” Warren Wiersbe.
So, for the right here and now, live into your God-given purpose and calling. Read God’s Word and meditate on it throughout the day. Learn how to apply the knowledge and wisdom found in the Scriptures, with Biblical understanding in your acquired skill, with godly living, and with humility. If you have effective communication skills in connecting with people, use that to encourage others (using words as apples of gold, Proverbs 25:11). Are you gifted at seeing opportunities and dangers way ahead in a team you are involved in leading? Use your creative gifts for God’s glory. Maybe your strengths are in problem-solving and aligning people. Use your God-given insights in helping to shape the future wherever God has placed you. Are you a champion at thinking things through and carrying around an internal first aid kit in making sure everyone feels needed and appreciated? Slow down to listen so you can give grace and truth. Bless others with this gift. Lastly, we all need relentless commitment in asking probing, rational, and analytical questions. Is this risk worth the investment? It is crucial to use this ability at the right time in evaluating the credibility in arriving at the correct resolution in the conclusion for making right decisions, and with God’s blessing.
Live as “children of light, children of the day.” Be ready for Christ’s return. Remember, Hebrews 9:27, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Paster and author, Larry Osborne, has said, “At the end of the day, all we can do is prepare your horse for battle. Ultimately the victory or defeat belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:30-31).” Remember, there is more than merely today’s toil.
Listen to Loving My Jesus with lyrics by Casting Crowns. 12/16/2016.