Brother Frank,
Thanks for posting this. Yes I also believe Jesus is coming back soon, and should the Lord allow me to tarry, I strongly believe it will be in my lifetime.
Being ready is an utmost priority. While I know that the scriptures speak of those whom the day of the Lord will overtake them as a thief and men's hearts failing them for fear.
This is absolutely not true for the believer who is prayerfully watching and sober minded that that day should overtake us unaware or by surprise. I believe this is an absolute promise of God.
Based on some of the recent thread topics and your latest statement as to why you posted this topic I was reminded of this portion of scripture by our dear brother Paul.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (1 Thessalonians 5:1) I believe he said this because his audience was filled with the Holy Spirit.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) He is speaking of those whom are not preparing their lamps and making sure they are filled with oil. They are those who live carelessly and foolishly.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) He is speaking of people (tares) within the church, they are merely professors and not confessors. They profess to know Him but by their deeds and lack thereof they DENY Him. They trust not in the Lord but the conditions that surround them.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4) This is the promise for those who are making themselves ready.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(1 Thessalonians 5:5) He continues his thought that if we are children of the day we will not be overtaken.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6) Does the Lord wake you in the middle of the night? He awakens me many times in the middle of the night and I have learned to know and realize that no matter how tired I might be, He is waking me for a reason and that is to pray, supplicate, and intercede. Much of this time is spent praying in the Spirit mixed with prayer in the understanding as the Holy Spirit leads. Many times it is not accompanied by a heaviness but to simply offer thanksgiving, praise, and worship.
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.(1 Thessalonians 5:7)And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
BUT let us, who are of the DAY, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) 4 Condition that must be met in order to receive the promises in these verses.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,(1 Thessalonians 5:9)God is not going to forsake His elect, if we meet the conditions in His word, it is impossible for us to fail.
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.(1 Thessalonians 5:10) I believe He is speaking of those who have already died (sleep) in Christ and will be in the first resurrection as well as those who remain (are alive and awake at His return), that we belong to Him forever.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.(1 Thessalonians 5:11) Rather than debating, arguing, and causing strife and division, this is what we rather should be doing. I am very dogmatic on numerous subjects concerning the Lord, however, I know it to be an uphill battle in trying to convince men against their own will. I would rather keep the unity of the Spirit and pray for both sides because if I am wrong I fully trust the Lord to set me and others straight. I do not care about being right, I only care about the truth. I have a deep longing to be a comfort, and to edify and encourage the brethren. When this is not possible, that is when I get those wake up calls in the middle of the night.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(1 Thessalonians 5:12) I am truly thankful for those whom the Lord gifts, enables, and calls into the ministry. I have learned to be careful in whom the Lord has appointed to carry out such callings and to not cast stones and be critical of how they might carry out their ministry. For it is God who has set the five fold ministry within the church. When we are critical of those whom God has anointed we are being critical of God.
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.(1 Thessalonians 5:13)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) When I said earlier that I strive for unity amongst the brethren, it does not mean I am looking to be a mere peacekeeper. A peacekeeper is unwilling to stand for truth and rebuke and admonish those who are in error. They are unwilling to rock the boat. A peacemaker on the other hand will speak the truth in love so that those who are in error will be made right with God and sometimes the truth will hurt.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.(1 Thessalonians 5:15) We are to do good to all men, even those who persecute, and despitefully use us, but especially those who are of the household of faith.
Rejoice evermore.(1 Thessalonians 5:16) In everything give thanks. Every day is a gift. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Pray without ceasing.(1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray with the understanding, pray with the Spirit, not only making your requests known unto God but offer up thanksgiving, supplicate, pray, and intercede for others.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.(1 Thessalonians 5:18) Knowing that All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His WILL and PURPOSES.
Quench not the Spirit.(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Don't let your flesh, pride, and intellect get in the way for the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God and neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. If you are not filled wit the Holy Spirit, your flesh and pride will get in the way every time. This is an absolute fact because I am guilty of it. I was saved for 9 years before I received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I know how things were before as well as after. I am very grateful for the latter.
Despise not prophesyings.(1 Thessalonians 5:20) When we come together at church I come expecting the Holy Spirit to move amongst the body of believers as He does it so wonderfully. It is through the gifts of the Spirit that God puts His fingerprints all over the scene. Do not scoff at the gifts.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21) We have two great tests to prove between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Gods word and the Holy Spirit. They will always agree.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.(1 Thessalonians 5:22)The most important thing about this admonishin is to not bring a reproach against the name of the Lord. When we do not love one another we bring a reproach against the Lord for it is written that the world will know us by our love for one another.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23)What a wonderful prayer and promise!
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:24) A promise that cannot fail, if we are willing to meet the conditions.
Brethren, pray for us.(1 Thessalonians 5:25)Let us pray for one another and esteem others better than ourselves.
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.(1 Thessalonians 5:26)Even though I come from an Italian family and it is common for men to kiss one another on the cheek, I know of Mennonite groups who actually kiss one another on the lips. Not there yet and probably won't be, BUT I love to hug the brethren. I am talking real manly hugs, not those wet noodle hand shake kind.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.(1 Thessalonians 5:27)Holy brethren, children of the day, and those who confess Him in both word and deed.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
(1 Thessalonians 5:28)My very thoughts toward each and every one of you as written to the brethren at Sermon Index.
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David Fella
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