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. 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 and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)

It is not uncommon these days to hear people predict the end of time. Things just feel so bad—it must be near, right? From pastor to pew sitter to non-Christian, people are sure that some sort of end must be imminent.

Not so fast though. Jesus also speaks—like Paul does here—of the day of the Lord coming in a totally unexpected moment, like a thief. Jesus says it even more explicitly: “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mt. 24:36).

On the one hand Jesus, like Paul, uses the “unknown” of the day of the Lord as an invitation to be ever watchful and ready, ever obedient and faithful. On the other hand, it is also used to give comfort, and this is more in keeping with what Paul is dong here: lowering the anxiety level.

Paul gives a picture of judgement here though too, and that might trouble us a bit. It’s important to keep the context in mind. The Roman society that was persecuting the Thessalonian church was a society in which everything looked good. The economy was humming along and under the law and protection of the Romans, peace and safety was enjoyed by all. That is, unless you were Christians who did not participate in the pagan practices of that society—then you experienced fearsome insecurity.

Paul’s point is that despite all this—it is actually the Christians who ultimately have the claim to peace and safety, because they rest secure under the Lordship of Christ as children of the light and of the day. The promise of the Roman empire is false—against the judgement of God, Rome cannot offer shelter. It is they of the pagan Roman society who have no hope, or at least who have placed their hopes in gods and emperors who are not gods—they who will be surprised and caught unaware by this thief-like day of the Lord’s judgement. On that day, the faith of the Thessalonian Christians will be vindicated, even as the injustices and suffering they have endured are set right.

The point for them and for us is this: in Jesus Christ we rest in peace and safety. For no matter when he comes and no matter what we suffer until then—we may trust that body and soul, in life and in death, we belong to him.

Yes, things are bad in our present moment even as they were bad for the Thessalonians back then—but hang in there. Stand firm. Don’t be deceived or alarmed. Jesus knows who are his, and you are his. There’s no way you’ll miss him or he you—you are children of the light and the day. So do not be afraid. No matter how bad things get or how fearsome the moment feels, stay calm. You belong to Jesus.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28 The Message).

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text of Isaiah 40:21-31. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

1. What does Isaiah 40:31 invite us to focus our efforts on – soaring, running, walking?

2. God is King (Psalm 47:2). List the descriptive words for God in the word KING. Read through the book of Esther and notice that these things do not describe Xerxes.

3. God is our Deliverer (Psalm 18:2). What is the promise this attribute of God is rooted in?

4. God is Trustworthy (Psalm 145:13). How has it been difficult for you to believe this?

5. God is Always at Work (Psalm 145:18). How does the story of Esther help us believe this?

6. God is with Us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20). In what contexts are these promises made?

7. So, how do you eat an elephant? How does this question relate to our faith in God?

This agrees with what the Lord has said. When the Lord comes, many of us will still be alive. We tell you that we will certainly not go up before those who have died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven. We will hear a loud command. We will hear the voice of the leader of the angels. We will hear a blast from God’s trumpet. Many who believe in Christ will have died already. They will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. We will be taken up in the clouds. We will meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with him forever. So, encourage one another with these words of comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).

As we learned yesterday, Paul does not chastise the Christians for their grief. Rather, he offers a way to live with grief. His goal is that we help one another through the struggle of bringing our emotions and our faith together, living with hope even as we grieve. His core message is that Christ will return.

Make no mistake about it, this is a political statement. The Roman Emperor reigned supreme. Rome laughed at that the notion that Jesus Christ, whom it had killed on a cross in Judea, was Lord. But Christians believe that Jesus was granted Lordship specifically because he had offered himself up to death on that cross. And then he rose from the dead. At his ascension he was crowned Lord of lords and King of kings.

And he “must rule until he has put all his enemies under his control” (1 Corinthians 15:25). Then, at the sign of the Father, Jesus Christ will rise from his sapphire throne, pass through the arches of glory-past the altar of sacrifice stained by his own blood, past the altar of incense, fragrant with the prayers of the saints, past the awesome living creatures who worship him night and day-and summon one great archangel to accompany him.

He will cross the great gulf fixed between heaven and earth and step through the curtain of the sky. No need for a star to point him out this time. No need for shepherds or wise men to spread the word. No disguises of baby flesh or swaddling clothes. As C. S. Lewis said, "When the author walks on the stage, the play is over." This time there will be no mistaking his coming.

The image is of a Roman dignitary on tour; the leading officials of the community would go out to meet him and accompany him into the city. At the sound of the arch angel’s trumpet, Christians who have died will experience resurrection. Then Jesus’ disciples still on earth will join them to meet our Saviour and Lord in the sky. It will be a grand family reunion, the best, without family squabbles, without end.

His brothers and sisters will usher Jesus into his kingdom, which is the earth. This passage gave birth to the notion of the rapture. But that has the imagery wrong. Jesus is not coming to take us away from this world. Rather, he is returning to this world to ‘make all things new’ and to reign here forever. And all people will see it, every knee will bow before him, and every tongue confess him, Lord.

We should encourage each other to live in the hope of His return to finish redemption. There is no need to live in fear his coming but recognize that this is God’s plan. For us, a second Christmas is on the horizon, then “we shall always be with the Lord” (17).

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28 The Message).