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Watchful Times

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The Timing of the Day of the Lord v1

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

‘No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!’ Mark 13:37

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

Acts 1:6-7

The Identification of the Day of the Lord v2Woe to you who long for the day of the

LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light.

It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.

Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

Amos 5:18-20

The Coming of the Day v2-4

It Will Be Unannounced

For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, v2.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief, v4

The Thief Comes When We Sleep

The Thief Comes After We Have Dined

For those who sleep, sleep at night, v7

those who get drunk, get drunk at night, v7

They will say, ‘Where is this coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 1 Peter 3:10

It Will Be Certain

While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape, v3.

It will be Selective

While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:12-13

The Preparation for the Day of the Lord v5-11

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert .. For those who sleep, sleep at night ..

Watchfulness

And those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled ..

Soberness

Readiness

Putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

The Encouragement of the Day of the Lord v11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.