Good Monday to you my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
MONDAYs have a reputation, would you agree? Most people see Monday as the most difficult day of the week. Why? Because Monday follows the weekend, which for most people has historically been more relaxed and enjoyable than the work week, right? But if Mondays are challenging, can you imagine what the NEXT day after the ‘Rapture’ will be for those who are ‘left behind’?
While the word “rapture” was not used by Paul in his description of the phenomenon we looked at yesterday, outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, it is a word meaning ‘taken up’ and has been used by many people to describe that remarkable event, why? Because in a moment every genuine, living Christian will be removed from planet earth! Of course, that means the only people left alive on earth a few minutes later will be those who had NOT trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation from their sin condemnation, thus the phrase “left behind”. While Paul concluded 1 Thessalonians 4 with these words directed to the Thessalonian Christians: “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18) in truth what Paul described will be nothing short of terrifying to all those who contemplate being ‘left behind’.
Naturally Paul knew anyone who would ever read Paul’s description of that remarkable day of ‘rapture’ would immediately ask the question “WHEN will this happen”? Perhaps you have found yourself caught up in that debate? Yes, there have been a wide range of opinions through the years, including some people who have gone so far as to pick a specific date on the calendar and then make bold predictions about that date, yet Jesus has not yet returned. That’s why Paul wrote these next words of caution found in 1 Thessalonians 5:1: “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.“ (1 Thess. 5:1,2)
Do you remember the very last question the disciples asked Jesus before His ascension back to heaven, stirred this response from Jesus: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you are to be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7,8) Do you see striking similarity between Paul’s words written to the Greek Thessalonian Christians in about 50ad and Jesus’ last words spoken to His disciples?
Why? What is the lesson for you and me, now 2000 years after those words were spoken and written? Well, it seems quite clear, doesn’t it? We are to leave in God’s Sovereign hands the determination of exactly WHEN these remarkable things will happen, which are described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and other things included in ‘the Day of the Lord’. And further, we are to be about the business of living God honoring lives, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, as we point our world to Jesus!
We all understand what Paul meant as he used the phrase “ like a thief in the night’, don’t we? It means that day will be unexpected, impactful and shocking, right? Thieves come unexpectedly and do not announce their moment of arrival. Their coming is impactful both on those who experience thieves and those who hear about it. And thieves normally leave their victims in some degree of shock for things have dramatically changed after the thieves leave, right? Can you see why the Holy Spirit led Paul to use those words in describing the future return of Jesus Christ and what will happen when He comes?
But what about this “day of the Lord” Paul mentions. A few verses later, in 1 Thess. 5 Paul gives us a bit more: “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. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thess. 5:9-11) I see three significant promises from God in these verses, do you?
First…The words “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath” were not a promise from Paul that Christians would not suffer persecution.
Jesus had warned that persecution from a world which refused Jesus and His Gospel, would be poured out upon followers of Jesus in every generation. (John 15:18-24) The word ‘wrath’ here is far more than persecution. This word is describing the wrath of God which will be poured out upon the world that has rejected God. That almost unimaginable wrath of God is described in multiple Scriptures, (Is. 13:6-13; Zeph. 1:14-2:3; Zech. 14:1-4); but especially Revelation 8&9.
Second… The words: “…to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” speak both of our personal salvation from sin condemnation, which any person receives when we repent of our sin and trust Jesus Christ to be our Savior; but also, God’s promise that Jesus will rescue all His people out from the earth BEFORE that terrible ‘Day of the Lord’ judgment of God.
Third… Paul’s words: “He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” remind us that it is through the atonement death of Jesus that redemption is accomplished and salvation is made possible for us.
And also, that at Jesus’ return, which Paul described in 1 Thess. 4:13-18, both those Christians alive and those who had already departed in death, will be ‘raptured up’, out of this world, to live together with Jesus for all eternity! That’s why Paul urged those who would ever read his words to encourage each other with these great truths!
Now, let’s pause right here. What does it mean for you and me, today, my friends? It leaves us with these questions:
1. Am I confident that if Jesus was to return RIGHT NOW, I would NOT be left behind but would be transformed and taken up to be with Jesus? (1 Thess. 4:17)
2. Do I understand the patience of God and that there will be a ‘day of the Lord’ reckoning when the wrath of God will be poured out upon this earth and the people who have rejected God? (1 Thess. 5:2,9
3. Do I understand the only way I or anyone can escape that wrath of God is trusting Jesus as the ONLY God provided Savior? (John 14:6)
As always, some important ‘lessons learned’ notes are available to help you dig more deeply into these Scriptures and a wonderful worship song to draw us to Jesus in worship and prayer, and I’ll be here tomorrow waiting for you.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Thess. 5:1-11.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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