Dreams are definitely not child’s play. Even now, I have intense dreams—in detail, in color. How about you? Some of my dreams are lovely and make me want to linger in the storyland of sleep. Others are disturbing and jolt me awake. For a moment the fear swirls, but then sweet relief washes over me as I open my eyes and realize the nightmare is not my reality.
In his letter to the church he started in Thessalonica, Paul reminded the new believers of the ultimate dream come true: the Day of the Lord, the return of Jesus Christ and His gathering of all believers together, with Him, forever. I love how Paul is sensitive to his friends who would be hearing his letter read aloud. He didn’t shy away from the burning question that was surely on their minds: “When, Paul? When will Jesus come back?”
Paul did not beat around the bush: “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1Thessalonians 5:2). It will be sudden and unexpected. He wrote of robbery, destruction, and the onset of excruciating pain like that of a pregnant woman in labor. The dream of Christ’s return suddenly sounded more like a nightmare leaving listeners feeling vulnerable and defenseless.
We can’t shy away from the fact that the Day of the Lord is also a Day of Judgment. Every person will be found either in the dark (enslaved to sin and separated from God forever) or in the light (freed from sin and united with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus). Paul is quick to remind and reassure these believers that they “are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness” (v.5). They are brothers and sisters in the family of God. They have encountered the truth about Jesus and have responded with repentance and faith.
Here is sweet relief for every believer from all times and all places. We open our eyes to daylight. The nightmare of judgment is not our reality because Jesus willingly received it as His reality on the cross. Yes, we will be surprised at the timing of Jesus’s return, but we will not be unprepared, groping in the dark. God provides for us.
In this letter, Paul also mentions the “armor of faith and love” and the “helmet of the hope of salvation” (v.8). Later, he wrote to the church in Ephesus in more detail about the full armor that God gives to believers for protection and deliverance. God Himself is our defense and provision as He gifts us with truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Surprised, yet safe and fully equipped. By the grace of God, He gives us what we need now and forever. Now that is the ultimate dream come true. Come, Lord Jesus!
Leave a Reply
58 thoughts on "The Day of the Lord"
Be ye ready!
Interpretation of the passage. Christ died for all yes but there are two paths a person can take. One is the wide road and one is the narrow Way. Not all will be saved. All will be judged, yes, and it’s only Christ and his perfect sacrifice that is acceptable to God. That is the only way to heaven. Thank you for your clarification in this. Tried to edit my post to join the two comments but alas, my tech skills aren’t that savvy ;)
Right on Susan!
Context is absolutely necessary to the
The context of who Paul is talking to is key in these passages. Paul is speaking to the believers in these passages. Scripture does not teach that all people are saved. It teaches the opposite. Romans 3:23 says ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s why we sinners need a Savior and that is why Jesus came and had to die for our sins. Only believing in Jesus and accepting that is our only hope to be in heaven one day. Unbelievers will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.❤️
Thank t for making this passage clear! There is great comfort in knowing that we are children if the light rather the dark, and what that means for me.
Lifting up all you dear sisters in Christ and your requests today. ARINA, God does not want you to be discouraged. These ladies have given wonderful, tried and true advice. Read, pray and find a local, Bible based church so you can be encouraged with other brothers and sisters in Christ. You are not alone but part of the family of God now!❤️
Paul says “For you are all children of light. We do not belong to the night or the darness.” Couldn’t this mean that when Christ died He saved all, loves all, and none will be separated from God? Paul goes on to say, “We do not belong to the night or the darness… God did not appoint us to wrath… Whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” Paul is telling us that ALL have been saved! Our job is to love one another here, now! “Encourage one another and build each other up”. Stop making hell on Earth for others while we wait for His return.
Praying for all my sisters!!❤️
Come Lord Jesus come!
This has been a hard week for me. I have felt the enemy attacking all areas of my life this week and I’m thankful Jesus is with me. Come quickly Lord Jesus as our world is getting crazier by the minute now. I’m not looking for the signs anymore of your return. I’m waiting for your shout and the trumpet blast!
@Arina
It’s easy to feel like we’ve failed. We’re all sinners. What’s important is that you pick your cross back up daily, and start fresh, continuously growing in your faith and letting that gospel armor do it’s job. Start each day saying, Christ, lead the way.
I keep writing names/prayer requests in my study book. It is filling up so fast… Just added KJs son, Victoria and Rachel. Praying for your needs, sisters! I think I will have to buy a journal-type book for my SRT family.
I needed this encouragement after a really hard week. Thankful that I can stand firm in Christ!
Arina, welcome to the family. I believe that Heavens cheered and celebrated as you accepted Jesus last week. Hallelujah. Praise God for you. Please give yourself time and don’t blame yourself. Transforming is always an on-going process. It’s quite common that the flesh will pull you back when you first accepted Christ, it’s a war honestly as the Bible calls it (The flesh lusts against the spirit and vice versa). Please keep yourself rooted in the Word daily and pray to God, small prayers at first, just take baby steps. SRT is a great place to be, where you will be immersed in the Word daily to read, to discuss and listen, to share struggles on a more intimate level of transparency. If you can find a Bible-based church, a small group to join later as well, to build and invest in friendships, that is the next crucial step I would say. I will pray for you to have strength and protection to overcome all resistance and distractions. And may God direct you to a church to join with His divine guidance on you. You will feel very very different. Trust me. Such liberation, hope, tons of joy and strength to come. Hold on tight to the journey Arina. Jesus loves you so much!
Last week I found Jesus, after have grown up as a Christian. It felt like my life changed, but also not. It feels so much like I’m still walking in the dark. Maybe it looks good from the outside, but on the inside… I know that’s what Jesus died for, but is is so hard to believe. Am I not supposed to life a holy life, to want to stop sinning, to dislike the distractions of the world instead of each time feeling attracted by them? I want to be changed, to live for God but I just keep failing at it before I’ve even tried it
Hi Arina- YAY! Congratulations on giving your heart to Jesus! Don’t be discouraged and stay the course. Reading God’s Word, praying to Him and being part of a group of believers will help those seeds Jesus has planted in you to take root and bear fruit. Be open to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. He has already been active drawing you to Him and He won’t stop now. So hang in there and enjoy the ride. I will keep you in my prayers! ❤️
To the Japanese lady: Jesus came as the Saviour for people from any nation on earth that will put their trust and faith in him. Get a Japanese bible and read it. I know there are churches in Japan which were established by Japanese and American missionaries. Find a good church and attend. You will find friends and they and the pastor can tell you how to believe in Jesus.
Remember Jesus loves you!
I pray that I would live my life fully awake and aware of the signs of the times and wear my full amor of God.
Dear beloved sisters, I would like to extend my sincere thank you to all of you. Dear Mari V, Tricia, Adrienne, Natasha, Churchmouse, Nads, Tina, Traci, Shaena, Angie, Searching, AJ Walker and other sisters that have prayed for our situation, THANK YOU SO MUCH (sorry if I missed anyone’s names). Today I woke up and I said to the Lord, blessed are you Lord, great is thy faithfulness, new are your mercies for me every morning. And as I read your comments and prayers, I realized that YOU are the mercies of God for me each day. I thank God for each of you. It just felt incredibly good to be prayed for and be part of a wonderful, strong, faith-filled, loving, humble community that are all of you. Thank you for shifting me back to the Lord, as briefly yesterday, my focus was off and I felt the battle was too hard. BUT GOD! BUT GOD! He brought you!! Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for the strength you have imparted onto me, for being here every day, for your wisdom, thoughts and interactions. It means so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Today’s reading gives me such hope of the day the Lord is returning. For God did not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation (rescue) through Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:9). When I was newer in faith, I was introduced to the movie “Left behind” which caused some fear like some of us might have. And not knowing the verse in Thessalonians above, I prayed to the Lord with anxiety, asking Him if I was worthy enough. And God showed me a very vivid dream (in color and all) that I wrote down. I wrote down all my dreams in past few years on a notebook, just in case I needed to refer back.
In the dream, I saw myself in a room where many brides were getting ready. I saw around 10 to 15 young ladies, dressed in different wedding outfits from their own tribes/ nations, one was dressed in like a Hawaiian dress, with nice hairdos and floral wreaths, another with a white traditional gown, and others in different colorful dresses, short and long, very different from one another and with beautiful adornments. I was like a third person watching in this dream, I did not understand my role there or why I was in the room. It was full of day light, bright and cheerful, for the big day was finally here. And then, what I saw next in the dream was heart gripping and I would never forget. I saw a large mirror in the corner of the room, I glanced at it and saw the reflection of me, of myself. And guess what I saw? A 5 year old girl in a white wedding dress, I saw myself as a little child. What a mighty God we served. He is very personal with us. I prayed for understanding of the dream later, and He pointed to this verse, the Kingdom of God is for those who are like little children (Luke 18:17).
Praise God for His wisdom and the comfort He gives. Seek Him daily, ask Him questions, He will answer you. To GOD I give all the glory.
May we rest assured in our walk with the Lord, that we won’t be left behind, that we know and we know 100% that we are in Him, and He in us, and He went to prepare a place for us, and He will come back to take us with Him, so that where He is, there we may be also (John 14:3).
Be blessed sisters. Thank you again very much. God bless you.
Passages such as today’s reading always give me pause. The Day of the Lord will be devastating for many. Knowing this, how then can I rationalize keeping the Way of escape from them? Neglecting to share the gospel because I’m afraid of an awkward moment is just not excusable. I have living water in abundance. How dare I keep it for myself in the presence of someone dying from thirst.
I am in a women’s Bible study at my church – Priscilla Shirer’s The Armor of God. From last night week one: Ephesians 6:12 what does it mean to put on the armor of God? 1. The battle is unavoidable. 2. The enemy is invisible. Satan is not God’s peer or counterpart. Only God is omnipresent, omniscient, works miracles and is eternal. Because we have a relationship with Jesus we are seated with him in heavenly places. 3. The location is accessible. 4. The weapons are not physical. 5. The victory is irrevocable. Priscilla says that PRAYERS activate the armor!!!! And also Satan CANNOT read our mind! I love ❤️ this and wanted to share. Praying for Alexa and Mercy’s family and sweet Rachel.
So as I was reading today’s devotional some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs comes to mind. The lyrics, “Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name to remember, oh, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name to remember” from the song “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. I believe Jesus in the only name I need to remember.
Sisters I hope you have a blessed day.
Prayers for you mea.
Praying for your sister Valentina, that she will see the light and embrace God’s love for her. I am standing with you in prayer for her salvation.
@Mercy, I went back to yesterday’s comments. I too am joining our sisters praying for Alexa.
So good @Heidi!!
Mercy praying for Alexa and this terrible situation. In a world that is anything but alert, I pray I will remain so. God I pray for wisdom to stay firm in a world that seems upside down.
Praying for you Rachiel, as a mom, (middle aged) please be assured you did the right thing. One should never compromise our believes in Jesus. You are honoring our Lord Jesus with your decision. I know waiting is hard, but trust in our Lord that He Will bring that right person whom he’s already prepared for you. It will be His perfect timing.
Sorry about my skin, I don’t understand what I am so sinned to live in Japan about my skin is ocher00, here really have white person, but what we do? What we need to do? What we can? What get hope to trust here? Lord, please teach me what I need to do.
YES, Come Lord Jesus!
SRT sisters, please pray for my sister, Victoria. She is in and of the darkness and is deep in it. Although growing up in a Christ centered home, she has proclaimed to be a Satanist. She loves and indulges in the ways of sin and this world. She knows that surrendering to Christ would mean giving up her love for sin, but her love of worldly pleasure is so great. She has pushed our family (our brothers, sisters, and parents) away, making it harder to reach out to her.
I love that phrase: we’ll be surprised but not unprepared!!!
@Stephanie W- thanks for sharing I never got that point until you laid it out so clearly!
Praying for his decision! May the Lord establish his steps.
Yes @Heidi!! This is so true- at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that we love God and love people!!!
Taylor, I think you’re right and I am thankful for that message too. It’s easy to walk in fear but our God does not give us a spirit of fear. We can rest in him. Praise the Lord!
Rachiel-Here is a short version of my story. I too was in a situation as you were. He was an alcoholic, I knew it, I compromised and married. We had two babies. Although I took them to church and I taught religous ed from the time they were in K-12 our house was not one of faith but one of knowing about God. God helped me through that time. We were married for 21 years. The drinking finally took him over. I was tired of seeing what my children were going through; we divorced. Sadly one of our childrenbecame an alcoholic, and one turned to other drugs. Today they are 38 and 32 and through lots of prayer, God is there…the 38 year old is searching…and I’m doing my best to pray that the search includes our savior. God is good, the other one has found someone calm and logical, a beliver growing in faith. They have blessed me with a grandson. Prayers are still being said, God is still working with us all, my second husband believes but not a beliver or faith follower; so I am still attending services and my community, on Earth, for the Lord is very small, but God is with me!! God is so, so very good!!
Prayers for you Rachiel, that the Lord will send someone who you can build your faith together. The Lord blessed you when you didn’t “settle”. He wants the best for His children.
Rachiel,
I will be praying for you!
Rachiel, you did the right thing. You shouldn’t settle or compromise your beliefs, assuming you are talking about your faith.
Father God, I lift up Rachel to you this morning and I pray you would surround her with your peace. Bring Godly friends around her to support and encourage her during this hard time. I pray that you would give her strength to stand firm in her decision to follow You and that Your will would be done in her life through this decision and because if it. Thank You that You love her and you know exactly what she needs and I pray that through this she would come to love you even more. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
Rachel – I will certainly be praying for you! I am thankful that you are willing to choose to stand firm in your convictions and not compromise even when it’s hard and means a break up. Jesus is so faithful to see us through those hard times and give us strength to follow Him! He fills our deepest needs and assures us that with Him we are never alone and always have greater joy and purpose than anything this world has to offer!! What I got out of today’s reading was- be on the alert – don’t let Satan lull us to sleep or dull our senses by whatever he wants to use to make us fall away from following Jesus! Be ready for warfare like a soldier aware of our enemy and his tactics – persevere – stand firm! The day of the Lord is near and coming! Let us encourage each other!
❤️
Good morning ladies ❤️
I love love “the armour of God”!
I read Fervent by Priscilla shier and learned aaall about it.
God Bless!
Please pray for me my sisters. I just broke up with my boyfriend, and while I know that it is God’s will, all of these doubts are creeping in my mind. Will I always be alone? Should I have comprised my beliefs? Should I have settled? Prayers appreciated. Thank you.
I get frustrated when those close to me enter into arguments and disagreements with the goal of “winning”, instead of seeing that they are fighting the wrong person. In the midst of an argument if we could just stop and really believe that the true issue at hand is there is an enemy creating/desiring disruption in that relationship, then EVEN WHILE STILL DISAGREEING, we can be unified in Christ truly seeking His point of view. We as humans will NEVER be in full agreement with one another. But what an enormous witness for Christ it would be to the world to see people able to genuinely “respectfully disagree” and continue at the work of furthering His name and love in our world.
God is for building relationship. Our enemy is for destroying them. Whose end-goal will we support when in the moment?
Something I feel like Paul is really driving home to the Thessalonians in this book is that they should not be afraid, rather confident in their salvation and confident in the Lord’s work and provision in their lives. As they allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through them, their actions will point others to God’s love and bring more to salvation. Today I claim the full armor of God as I head out to work with my patients today! May they see God’s love and light in me
It is good to remember right now “that our battle is not with flesh and blood. but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil and spiritual forces in the heavens.13 For this reason take up the full armor of God,” We are all in this struggle and Jesus laos down His life that we each might have salvation. He has already won the battle, so let us wear His armor and speak His grace then when others are fighting they too can know His salvation and truth. Lord help me this day to have your full armor and to be in your truth Jesus. Hugs Sisters, the Lord of armies i’d with us,He is Victorious.
What struck me this morning was the Gospel of Peace (the shoes in the armor of God) so I wanted to look up what this actually meant… and found this interesting article about the historical significance of Roman battle shoes at the time Paul wrote about the armor of God. And Wow!!!
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“Historically, Roman battle shoes, otherwise known as caligae or calcei, had spikes or textured soles. Not only would the comfortable, breathable structure allow the soldiers to march several miles without pain, but these spikes would help them stand their ground and stamp on the fallen enemy.
Especially when a Roman army advanced, enemies would be trampled by the puncture wounds from several soldiers marching together. Not to mention, these spiked soles would help them navigate better over rough terrain, unlike other footwear of the time.
The enemy couldn’t seclude themselves in a rough patch of land when facing the Roman army. The soldiers would advance with minimal pain rendered to their feet.
Paul doesn’t use this historical information haphazardly. He understands the importance of peace in the life of a Christian soldier, and how much we need the shoes as well as the other elements of the armor, such as the sword or shield. Like Roman footwear, these shoes protect us on the spiritual battlefield. A barefoot soldier will likely encounter debris or rough patches of ground, which will throw his fighting off course.
So, what can throw off our peace of mind? Or throw off our peace about our circumstances? The answer is: any of the devil’s schemes.
Peace helps us to stay grounded, and simultaneously stand our ground.
What Paul actually means here by ‘Gospel’ is ‘Good News.’ We are to fit our feet with the good news of peace. In other words, we are to advance onto the battlefield unafraid, because we carry with us the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. No matter what debris the enemy throws as us, amidst the war and chaos, we know God has everything under control and that His plan cannot be thwarted by the devil.” Hope Bolinger
Reading this really put things in perspective for me!! Every piece of God’s armor has significance and purpose. May I put this armor on with intention and may it all be for the Glory and Honor of our God. Amen!!
@Jenn your comparison to Noah is so fitting. I’m sure Noah was an outsider in his day, living a life obedient to God. It’s not always easy to live a life obedient to God. Fear of rejection and judgement by peers is very real for me. I always fear I am not knowledgeable enough about Biblical topics and I won’t be able to stand when questioned. I know that fear and insecurity comes from the evil one. And I know who will be the ultimate judge in the end. This helps bring up courage in me to walk in obedience. I still mess up…..a lot but I can repent, get back up, and keep walking in obedience while I wait for the second coming ❤️
@Mercy praying for peace and unity for you and your family ❤️❤️❤️
I find it comforting that we are not “To know the times and seasons of Christ’s return…” I am ok not knowing because I trust in the Lord and his timing is perfect.
Thank you Lord for your armor upon us. I pray for all those in the dark, may your Light shine through our witness. May we as a nation and world be brought to the place of repentance and restoration. Jesus Christ, may You be praised.
I lift MERCY’s family member, Alexa to You Lord also, and ask for her present protection and healing. I ask for restoration physically, mentally, emotionally and especially spiritually, that Alexa and any other members in her family who do not know You would be set free from the power of sin in their lives. Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent Father, we bring our requests to You. Amen.
Thank you for sharing that Jenn. I’m curious about the book Flooded now.
I heard a pastor say that you don’t go out physically undressed, so don’t go out spiritually undressed. He said to put on the full armor of God every day. That has stuck with me. Oh, how I need God’s help and protection each day! I need His covering for sure. May we and all we know have divine protection today.
I also agree with what was written before me. Let’s pray that those who aren’t following God or fearful of Him would hear and see Truth. Please God, let this be the time that their eyes are open to who You are and Your Holiness and Power. My pastor said a list of what the devil wants for people compared to what You want. I heard R C Sproul say that our nature is to turn, rebel, and not love God. (I’m paraphrasing) Please soften even the most hard heart. May they be drawn to You by any means necessary. Please let none perish without salvation May their denial of Truth end, and may they fear and love You, repent, and be amazed by the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus. Please let them be saved for eternity and be used for Your Glory now. In Jesus Name Amen!
I read another devotional today on the book of Exodus. This devotional referenced many Scriptures about God’s power and how things are possible with God. If you feel discouraged today or just want to read those Scriptures, here is a link.
https://myf5.co/497147
When my son is young, before he went to school and when he was having a tough day we would always pretend to put on the armor of God as we recited Ephesians 6. I can still see him putting up the boots. You know there are always days that we need to do the same.
MERCY – just read through yesterday’s comments and your heartbreaking prayer request. Praying for Alexa, her healing and her safety, and for the family and authorities involved.
JENN – during my study time this morning, I was praying for awareness of my own choices and ways of interacting with family (some tough times right now) & others, and also for our country’s leaders & those around the world, which led to praying for those who just as you said “heed no warning, live without fear of God and sin like it doesn’t matter”. May we all pray for those who deny the reality, authority and justness of God, instead celebrating their own defiance and that of others. Thankful for His love, mercy and grace today.
Hallelujah! So thankful that we have this blessed assurance and hope!
Blessings to you Sisters.
I just started a Bible study on a book called Flooded, the story of Noah. Right before I read my SRT devotion for the day, I did the Bible work for the week in where it talks about those who “walk with the Lord” in lieu of just living life on this earth. It talked about when people lived without fear of God, not caring about their sin and God created the flood and despite the warnings that nobody listened to, everyone that wasn’t on the ark was wiped from the earth. Very interesting how that is exactly how the world is living today. Some walk with God, but others….heed no warning, live without fear of God and sin like it doesn’t matter. It is heartbreaking, but I do believe it is no coincidence that I studied that this morning and then opened up SRT and here we are talking about how we need to walk with the Lord and nobody will know when Jesus is coming back. Such an amazing reminder to continue to live our lives with God directing our steps. Lately I have been praying hard for me to hear God when He speaks. And oh Lord, you have spoken to me today.