When reading the Bible, and therefore also Paul’s letters, we must keep in mind that they are later divided into verses and chapters. This is often very convenient, but it can sometimes also mislead us. In the previous blog post, I ended with 1 Thessalonians 4:18, and that is how this chapter also ends. But Paul wrote a letter and simply continued with his topic when he continues in chapter 5.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need…
Times and Seasons
Paul is going to inform his readers of the times and the seasons. He is still talking about the same topic: the snatching away. He is going to inform them when (>times) and in what context of events (>seasons) the rapture will occur. Paul had discussed this with them earlier and assumes there is no real need for him to write about it.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 For whenever they say, “Peace and security,” then suddenly destruction will come, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will certainly not escape.
Like a thief in the night
The Thessalonians knew precisely when the snatching away would occur and knew the connection with the events that would then take place on earth. The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, but note, not for them. Paul says that they were fully aware of this, and the following verses also show that they walked by the light of the word and that day would not overtake them. For the world the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Peace and security
For whenever they say, “Peace and security…” A period of peace and security will dawn in the near future, centered on the Jewish state. This peace and security will lull people into a false sense of security, preventing them from truly seeing what is happening (Matthew 24:5-6). It will turn out to be a false peace, for it will unexpectedly lead to destruction. This false peace will culminate in the Great Tribulation, a tribulation such as has never before been experienced by the Jewish people, nor ever will be again (Matthew 24:21).
Tribulation
This distress will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman. Unexpected and very intense, there is no escape. In Revelation 6:1-17, we find the Great Tribulation depicted in a series of seals being opened, revealing four horses. The first white horse brings peace (1:2), which is then taken away by the next red horse (1:4). Here too, but symbolically, the same period of false peace and its end are described as in 1 Thessalonians 5:2.
Joyful Expectation
It may be difficult for us to see anything positive in these judgments. The Bible says for good reason that this Great Tribulation is without equal, and even when we find the judgments described in Revelation, we see terrible things. But remember that these things must happen within God’s plan. The destruction is therefore compared to the labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. These are painful and intense, but their purpose is to bring forth new life. This applies primarily to Israel, but as we saw earlier, to all of creation (Rom. 8:22).
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you like a thief.
5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.
We know the time
The Thessalonians were meticulously aware of the times and seasons. Therefore, the day of the Lord would not overtake them like a thief in the night. Those who walk in the light of God’s word know the time. When they say, “Peace and security,” we know that this peace will be taken away and the great tribulation is coming. Shortly before that, the ecclesia will be snatched away.
6 Therefore, let us not slumber like the rest, but let us be alert and sober.
7 For those who slumber, slumber at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, and let us put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation
The rest of us slumber and are not awake and sober. They are lulled to sleep by false claims of peace and security and are not vigilant. But the believer walks in faith and love and knows the word: the hope (=expectation) of salvation. We know that God has not appointed us to wrath and expect that He will save us. We will be snatched away and thereby saved from the wrath of the dragon (Rev. 12:4-5, 12, 17).