Dr. Ben Stubblefield
Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
RETURNING
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
If you lived through the 1980s, you might remember the book “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.” My guess is a few of you have a copy on your bookshelf. We’re all interested in “end of the world” speculation. The problem occurs when our speculation becomes specious. We get off-kilter and start to believe bad things about good theology.
Paul is dealing with that kind of issue in these verses. The church has gotten really disoriented on end-time theology. And he writes to urge them back to right belief.
Warning Issued (1–3)
Has anybody ever started to teach you something by saying, “Now, you already know all of this, but …”? Scholars refer to that as “paraleipsis,” and that’s what Paul is up to here. It’s a way of confirming for people they already know what they need to know, and they ought not get unsettled by other kinds of knowledge. He says, in effect, “You already understand the events of the last days, but … let me remind you of what they are.”
He describes the “day of the Lord.” That is a little phrase deeply rooted in the judgment predictions in the Old Testament. But it also gets linked to the ministry of Jesus to describe the time when He will come to punish the wicked and vindicate His followers (Matt. 24:30).
This day will come suddenly, like a thief. There may be warnings or “signs of the times,” but ultimately, for those who reject the gospel, the day of the Lord will arrive unpredictably (Luke 12:39; Rev. 3:3). Those destroyed in the flood had decades of preparatory signs, much like an expectant mother approaching full term, but the waters surprised them because they failed to believe it would actually happen.
It’s worth pointing out New Testament scholar Jeffrey Weima’s insight on the phrase “Peace and safety” quoted by Paul. Weimar shares that in Roman propaganda, on coinage and on select monuments, citizenry paid homage to deities or civic leaders by thanking them for bringing pax (peace) and securitas (security) to the empire. Paul adopts that common phrase meant to memorialize the best Roman salvation that wealth, might and empire can offer, and he exposes it for what it is: false confidence. Apart from faith in Jesus, we will be caught in judgment unprepared.
Alertness Required (4–8)
Now that Paul has settled some of the details of the one and future day of the Lord, he wants the Thessalonians to remain focused on living the rest of their days for the Lord. The phrase “So heavenly minded you’re no earthly good” comes to mind here. It’s tempting to get so hyperfocused on theologically speculative ideas that the Lord’s people fail to live out faith, hope and love. Paul urges us to be alert, sober and armored as we anticipate the judgment of all things.
Future Defined (9–11)
The Thessalonian crisis revolved around the fear God had abandoned them and might not raise them to future glory. Paul shatters that misconception. He reminds the believers the same Jesus who died for them will live with them eternally because God has through Jesus appointed them for salvation.
And I cannot imagine a more encouraging word for a discouraged people in our discouraging time. Friends in the Lord, do not allow the devil to tempt you to despair, doubt or discouragement. Paul teaches us that God has chosen you (1:4), called you (2:12), governs your seasons of trial (3:3), secures your salvation (5:10) and will see you through to the end (5:24).
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