READ: 1
Thessalonians 5
It
would seem from the way chapter five starts that Paul is answering yet another
question. The question might have been: How will we know when Jesus is coming
back? Paul made it clear they were not to stress about this kind of stuff. He
tells them those who don’t know will be caught unaware, the same way someone is
caught when a thief comes to steal. But the Christians will know! It won’t be a
surprise like a thief in the night. We can be prepared! Just like a pregnant
woman knows approximately the time she will give birth, but not the exact day,
we can watch for the signs around us and know that the time of Christ’s return
is near.
Verses 12 through 22 are full of short, but powerful sentences.
Each one is packed with instruction about how to live. One thing Paul says is
to rejoice always and to give thanks in all circumstances. This can be
misunderstood. Some have said this means to always be happy and exhibit joy no
matter what. However, that’s contrary to Eccl. 3:4 which says there is: “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time
to mourn, and a time to dance”. When we rejoice in happy circumstances,
it’s easy! Nobody really has to encourage us. It’s when things are tough that
rejoicing is hard, and so is giving thanks. However, Paul has just finished
explaining that the dead are only temporarily sleeping (chapter 4). He’s also
just said Jesus is coming back for us, and we can know the signs. When death
strips us, we can rejoice not because of what death has done but because of
what Jesus has promised. When circumstances are painful and tragic we give
thanks that this world will soon end and Jesus is coming back to make things
right. God wants us rooted in reality. If things are hard and painful, it is
dishonest not to cry. But to ignore the reality and truth that death is no
longer a permanent fixture in our lives, and to refuse to put our hope in Jesus
and the eternity He promises, is a dangerous mistake. Amid the tears and pain
we can both rejoice and give thanks honestly.
Another set of verses to take note of is verses 20-21. Paul
teaches not to despise or reject prophecies but to test everything. In our
culture we have teachers who say to believe all prophesies … no questions
asked. Others teach God doesn’t speak through prophecy so we are to reject
anything we are told is from the Lord. These are two extremes Paul succinctly
handles in these two verses. First: don’t reject prophecies. If we do that, we
are literally plugging our ears to hear the voice of God through others.
Second: we are not to believe everything we hear, but rather we are to test it.
We are not supposed to be lazy Christians. If someone prophesies or says “this
is what the Lord says”, we are supposed to listen carefully, and then evaluate
it, pray about it, and see if it fits with the whole of Scripture and godly
counsel. We cannot leave the testing to others, we must be actively testing
ourselves. To do this we must be familiar with God’s Word, regularly hearing
His voice, and in close relationship with other believers.
Journaling
and Prayer
1. Spend a few
minutes thanking the Lord that He doesn’t purposely confuse us or make things
hard for us. Thank Him for allowing us to know the signs of His second coming
so we can be prepared. Take a few moments to ask Him to sharpen the eyes of
your heart to see the signs of the times even more clearly as the day of His
return approaches.
2. What is
something you are experiencing now that is naturally a joyful thing? What are
you struggling through? Ask the Lord to show you what you can be thankful for
in each situation. Ask Him to give you a heart of rejoicing in the midst of
both situations. Ask Him to create in you a heart that rejoices in the truth
and hope of eternity.
3. Ask the Lord
to help you evaluate your willingness and ability to accept prophecy and test
it:
a. Ask Him where
you fall on the spectrum of prophecy and if there are any improvements He’d
like to see or if He’s happy with where you are.
b. Ask Him if He
is pleased with how much time you are spending in the Word to become familiar
with His character, His purposes, and His ways.
c. Ask Him how
you are doing in purposely listening for and hearing His voice. (Remember that
obedience is part of hearing.)
d. Ask Him whom
in your circle of friends and acquaintances you could turn to for godly
counsel.
