The Day of the Lord
Open Your Bible
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Acts 1:6-7, Ephesians 6:10-18
BY Patti Sauls
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!
58 thoughts on "The Day of the Lord"
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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 ;)
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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.❤️
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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.
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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!❤️
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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.
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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!
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