READ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The simple answer to the question, “When will Jesus Return?” is, no one knows. However, that does not mean you should stop reading this devotion.

While many things are advancing in our society, some things are regressing. I agree with Dr. Vance Havner who said, ''Scientifically we are in graduate school, but morally we are in kindergarten.''

Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t give us a definitive answer about when Jesus will return, but he does teach some things about the coming “Day of the Lord.”

1. JESUS WILL RETURN AT AN UNEXPECTED TIME – vs. 1-3

A. It will come as a thief in the night – vs. 2.

A thief coming is not an announced joyful coming, it is rather an unexpected, traumatic event. It describes the suddenness and the surprise involved in the coming of the Day of the Lord. In Revelation 3:3; 16:15, He used this image to warn believers not to be caught napping.

B. It will come as travail upon a woman with child – vs. 3.

Again, like a thief, the travail of childbirth is coming, but you don’t know exactly when.

2. JESUS WILL RETURN AND ENCOUNTER PEOPLE WHO ARE UNPREPARED – vs. 4-8.

We should all live expectantly. We should be living in the light of His return, realizing that our works will be judged and that our opportunities for service on earth will end.

It means to live ''with eternity's values in view.''

There is a difference between being ready to go to heaven and being ready to meet the Lord. Anyone who has sincerely trusted Christ for salvation is ready to go to heaven.

Christ's sacrifice on the cross has taken care of that. But to be ready to meet the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ is quite another matter.

3. JESUS WILL RETURN BRINGING UNDESERVED GRACE – vs. 9-11

Believers do not have to fear future judgment because it is not part of God's appointed plan for us.

I do not believe that Christians will go through the Great Tribulation, which is that awful period of judgment that God will send on the earth. Verses like 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & 5:9 seem to support this.

1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christians have always gone through tribulation since this is a part of dedicated Christian living. But they will not go through the Tribulation that is appointed for the godless world.

The church will be raptured to heaven prior to the Tribulation period. This is another example of God's undeserved grace.

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:9 again, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

One of two possible destinies awaits every member of the human race.

Those who stubbornly remain in spiritual darkness will ultimately ''be cast out into the outer darkness'' of eternal hell.

But those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, come to the light of salvation will “…be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Col. 1:12).

They will live forever in God's glorious presence. “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5).

We do not know when Jesus will return, but we can be ready for His return.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. Have you ever known or heard of someone who has set a specific date for the return of Jesus? Based upon this passage, how would you answer them?

2. Most of the world will be unprepared to meet Jesus upon His return. How are unbelievers unprepared? How can those who are saved be unprepared?

3. How would you define grace?

4. What do you need to do today to get ready for the Lord’s return?