1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

The first word in the chapter is the word BUT. That sets in contrast everything that follows from what just went before. Back in the last few verses of Chapter four Paul has set forth the doctrine of the Rapture of the church, the body of Christ. The final words, in verse 18 were "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Then comes the BUT:

1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

Why would the Thessalonians have no need that Paul write unto them about the times and the seasons? The reason is the Rapture which he just previously set forth. The reason is that the church, which is the body of Christ is not involved in the times and seasons pertaining to the fulfillment of prophecy to Israel.

The times and the seasons are something that Peter and the others of the 12 were very concerned with. The very last question they asked of the Lord on the Mount of Olives on the day he ascended into heaven, was:

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

All of the preaching and the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John resulted in them asking this question. It was very logical and legitimate, since the message preached at that time was the gospel of the Kingdom. And the message had been preached to those to whom the Kingdom pertains, the people of Israel. So they want to know if "at this time" the Lord is going to restore that Kingdom. Now his answer to the question was:

Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Notice that he didn't say "No, there is no Kingdom going to be restored." He simply said that it was not for them to know the time for it. Now why was that? It was because God had a mystery. That mystery was about a different body of believers called the church, the body of Christ. THEY are the ones Paul was comforting with the words in Chapter four. The reason we have no need for Paul to write to us about the times and the seasons is simply: We are not going to be here. The Rapture will occur first. So to continue:

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

The day of the Lord is major prophecy in the old testament. On the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, Peter referred to it when he quoted from the prophecy found in the book of Joel.

Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

None of those things happened at that time, or at any time during the book of Acts. None of them have yet happened since the time of the book of Acts. They are all yet future. Isaiah prophecies of the same thing:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

So the day of the Lord is what Paul is writing about:

1 Thessalonians 5:3 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.

The "peace and safety" refers to a  time in the book of Daniel called the "seventieth week of Daniel. At that time the antichrist will make a covenant. He will confirm it for seven years. But in the middle of those seven years he shows his true colors and breaks it.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jesus Christ referred to this in Matthew 24. He said that when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place...a reference to the temple in Jerusalem which at that time will be restored, sacrifices are offered, and so on...up to the middle of that week or that seven year period of time. Jesus said that when you see that...RUN...for then shall be great tribulation. This is what Paul is talking about here.

But notice the contrast between YE and THEY:

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

The YE and the US are in direct contrast to THEY who say "peace and safety" The sudden destruction comes upon THEM...not US.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 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 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

The salvation he is speaking of is to be delivered from this present evil world. It is to see our vile bodies changed and made like unto the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air...and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The "wrath" is the "time of Jacob's trouble," not the time of the church's trouble.

Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Jacob is also Israel. Jacob is the name used when Israel is out of favor with God. In the affliction of the tribulation the true believing remnants of Israel will be purified and saved out of it. So Paul says that "all Israel shall be saved, as it is written:"

Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

That covenant is the new covenant of Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews chapter eight. The body of Christ is not involved in it. The Rapture of the church will occur before that seven year period of time and we obtain BODILY salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

In order to see the full importance of all that Paul has said here, and to be able to clearly see the contrast between US and THEY it would be helpful to read the entire passage beginning at 1 Thessalonians 4:13 all the way down to 1 Thessalonians 5:11. It is clear that Paul is setting in contrast two separate things pertaining to two separate groups of people.

Now the remainder of the chapter contains practical instructions to the believers:

1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

To admonish is to put in mind, to caution or reprove gently. This would be a reference to elders. Paul wrote Timothy that an elder who rules well should be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. Paul ordained elders in every church in Acts 14:23 and he wrote to Titus to do the same thing in Titus 1:5.

These would be men who were established in the doctrine. Notice in Philippians:

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

An "ensample" would be a pattern. Paul wrote to Titus:

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Now Paul exhorts the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Unruly carries the idea of "unarranged" or "insubordinate." In other words not following the doctrine. The feebleminded would be those of "little spirit" or weak in the faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

To pray without ceasing is not that a person would go about constantly praying but that he would not cease to pray. Paul was a praying man. He both prayed for others and asked for prayer for himself. He taught believers to do the same.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

This is probably a reference to the gifts of the Spirit Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 12-14. They were very much in operation during the time period of the book of Acts.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 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 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

And he asks for prayer:

1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

Now notice the "charge" here:

1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

The letter was to further establish the believers in Paul's doctrine. Those in Thessalonica suffered persecution just as others had from unbelieving Jews. It also clearly set forth the fact that there is no wrath in store for the body of Christ. Instead we look forward to the Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.