OUR GOD EXPECTED END

(AMPLIFIED BIBLE)1 Thessalonians 5:1 – 10 Now as to the times and dates, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. But you, ^[believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 

Paul wrote the above verses as part of his letter to the Thessalonica church located in the capital city of Macedonia, which was established during his second missionary journey. This body of believers was looking for the Lord’s return in their lifetime, and Paul wanted to enlighten and encourage them about that event.

The believers knew that the actual date of Christ’s return was unknown to all, and from the Old Testament prophets, believers understood the Day of the Lord was a time of judgment. Paul reminded them that this day would likely occur when everything appeared to be tranquil, but like the experience of a woman giving birth, chaos could suddenly happen. Also, like the woman who does not know when she will go into labor, once it starts, it intensifies and cannot be reversed.

Unlike unbelievers who relish darkness, believers are children of light, and their lifestyle differ from the world. Since they are cognizant of Christ’s return, they are expected to be sober, watchful, and ready, as well as to stand in faith and love. Most importantly, believers have hope and confident assurance that God did not condemn them but rather provided salvation through the death and resurrection of His son Jesus. Additionally, believers will forever dwell with Him in eternity.

With all of this in our minds, as we witness seasons and times and feel the approaching rapture of the church of Jesus Christ, let us cherish and heed the words of Paul, knowing we have a God-expected end.