Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 28

Paul Reminds them How Christ 2nd Coming will Occur Part 1

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. KJV

Paul now remembers their questioning of him when he was present with them concerning when all this that he just wrote of concerning our Lord Jesus Christ return to the earth would occur, but Paul wanted to remind them of exactly what our Lord, Master, and Savior told the first Apostles when they over stepped their boundaries of inquiry concerning the subject, so Paul first writes these words to them, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." (1 Thessalonians 5:1) (KJV). In other words, as we declared in the previous study/commentary the Apostle Paul lived his life expecting to see the 2nd coming of Christ Jesus our Lord during his lifetime and so he taught everyone of these new believers in Thessalonica to live in like manner always anticipating that Jesus Christ could return at any moment, even then 2,000 years ago. Therefore, Paul writes these words here in verse 1, for as Bengel declares, "Those who watch do not need to be told when the hour will come, for they are always ready", and these words mirror the response our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ said Himself concerning those of us who follow Him, "Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour {when the Son of Man will come.}" (Matthew 25:13) (Amplified Bible).

Paul reminds them of what he taught them before he departed from them concerning the suddenness, that is, how this 'Day of the Lord' will happen without warning, therefore, those who are prepared will not be taken by surprise or off guard, but the unprepared will be locked out or shut out of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ forever (in Hell), just as the parable of "The Wise and Foolish Virgins" illustrates, "THEN THE kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. While the bridegroom lingered {and} was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]." (Matthew 25:1-12) (Amplified Bible).

A thief does not announce before hand to the person or persons or place or places that he or she is going to steal from when and where he will perform this act of thievery, but instead the time and place of his or her unlawful deed is known only to them, therfore, in like manner is the 'Day of the Lord' upon the earth, so it is Paul's desire to instill in these Thessalonian believers and we believers today and of every generation and era the practice of being steadfast and immovable from our work for the Lord Jesus Christ and our watchfulness concerning His 2nd coming just as again our Lord Jesus Himself implored us to do and to be by what He says here, "But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark, And they did not know {or} understand until the flood came and swept them all away--so will be the coming of the Son of Man. At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] that the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined {and} broken into. You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:36-44) (Amplified Bible).

"The thing is certain that Christ will come, and there is a certain time appointed for His coming; but there was no need that the Apostle should write about this, and therefore he had no revelation given him; nor should they or we enquire into this secret, which the Father has reserved in His own power. Of that day and hour knoweth no man. Christ Himself did not reveal this while upon earth; it was not in His Commission as the Great Prophet of the Church: nor did He reveal this to His Apostles; there was no need of this. There are times and seasons for us to do our work in: these it is our duty and interest to know and observe; but the time and season when we must give up our account we know not, nor is it needful that we should know them. Note, There are many things which our vain curiosity desires to know which there is no necessity at all of our knowing, nor would our knowledge of them do us good." Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…