The Coming Day of the Lord

Northwest Bible Church – Aug. 20, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 5:1-3
The Coming of the Day of the Lord

Intro
The importance of eschatology:

A. INSTRUCTION ABOUT THE TIMING IS NOT NEEDED (5:1).

1. “times and epochs” (1 Thess. 5:1) –

2. “no need of anything to be written to you” (1 Thess. 5:1) - Mt. 24:36, 42-44; Acts 1:7.

3. Parallel between Mt. 24 and 1 Thess. 5.

B. THE DAY OF THE LORD (1 Thess. 5:2a).

1. Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2) – a familiar OT refence.

2. The same event as the “coming of the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15). See 2 Thess. 2:1-2.

C. ANALOGY #1 - THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT (1 Thess. 5:2b). NO WARNING

1. Purpose of the thief in the night:

2. Surprise coming of the thief in the night: only unbelievers are in view.

3. Other uses of this analogy: Rev. 3:3; 16:15; 2 Pet. 3:10.

D. ANALOGY #2 - LABOR PAINS (1 Thess. 5:3). NO ESCAPE

1. Peace and safety –

2. Sudden destruction comes like labor pains with no escape (1 Thess. 5:3).

Conclusion
1. The day of the Lord is the day when both the saints are resurrected/raptured and unbelievers are judged.
2. The analogy of Christ coming as a thief in the night applies to unbelievers and teaches that there will be NO WARNING.
3. The analogy of labor pains, repeats and emphasizes that Christ’s coming to judge unbelievers will be sudden and unexpected, so they are unprepared and are swiftly judged with NO ESCAPE.

Discussion: Why is eschatology important for the Christian life? Paul’s focus in this passage is on Christ’s coming to judge unbelievers. What can we learn from this and apply to our lives? How can we be alert and sober minded as we wait for His return (see 1 Thess. 5:6).