Thank you for reading the message this week. I am feeling quite a bit better. I thank you for your prayers.
Last week, we began looking at a passage from I Thessalonians that is well-known and controversial. It is one of the main passages used by those who believe that the rapture and the Second Coming are two separate events separated by a seven year tribulation period. According to what we read in this text, and in other places in the Bible, this idea can't really be supported by the Scriptures. It appears plain that this passage and the teachings of Jesus, point out that those who believe in the Lord will meet Him in the air and return with Him when He comes in His Second Advent to rule and reign upon this earth. This happens at the same time.
In our section today, Paul tells us something very similar to what Jesus taught in such passages as Luke 12:35-59. The return of Jesus Christ will come about suddenly. No one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will come again. It will come at a time when many least expect it to occur.
Over the course of Christian history, there have been attempts to predict or set a date for the coming of the Lord Jesus. All of these dates have come and gone, and Jesus has not returned. It is wrong to try and set a date for the coming of the Lord. No one knows. If someone says that they can tell you when Jesus will come, that person is someone who is not teaching what it right. They are not listening to what Jesus Himself had to say about the matter.
Jesus, and Paul in this passage, make it clear that we as believers are to live in such a manner that we are ready should Jesus appear at any moment. This has a couple of implications. First of all, since Jesus could come at any time, we need to be telling others about salvation through Jesus. We need to be about doing the things that Jesus did in this world. We are to be ambassadors for Christ in this world until the time that we die or the Lord comes again.
We must also be living our lives in such a way that we will not be ashamed should the Lord come suddenly. We would not want to be involved in some type of sinful behavior at the moment the Lord Jesus comes again. I can't think of anything more terrible. This means that we are to live lives of holiness that are pleasing to the Lord. We are to be doing right and not wrong.
One of the things that Paul says in this passage is that we are to be living lives of love. That is what is so important. We need to be loving God with all that we have within us, and we need to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus said that if we did this, we would be fulfilling all that is in the both the Law and the Prophets. I might add, that Jesus told us to do unto others as we would have done unto us. This is what we need to be doing so that Jesus will pleased with us should He come even today.
Many people scoff at the idea that Jesus is coming again. Peter spoke about this. The Bible says that one reason that Jesus has not yet returned is that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The Lord in His mercy is waiting for people to have the opportunity to come to Him and realize His great love for them and for all the world.
Jesus will come again. That will be a great and glorious day. When He returns, Jesus will rule and reign in righteousness. There will be peace throughout the universe. There will be no more war, death nor disease. All of creation that is groaning in travail waiting for the day of redemption will be set free in new life. Everything will be returned to the Edenic state that existed before sin entered into this world. I hope that you are ready for that day. Amen.
Prayer Requests
As I mentioned, I am feeling better. Please pray that I will continue to improve.
Florida has had a lot of damage as a result of the hurricane. Please pray that the people will receive the aid that they need. Also pray for those who are dealing with hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and Canada. Japan experienced a bad storm as well.
Continue to pray for an end to the wildfires in the western US.
We need to keep praying for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Let us focus intently on praying for peace in Ukraine this week.
Many areas of the world are currently facing a great deal of financial hardship. Pray that people will get the help needed.
Pray for an end to the coronavirus.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those living in the nations of Western Sahara and Vietnam. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue studying I Thessalonians. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to have a midweek post. May God bless you all.
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