1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Helpful Background Information:
In Hebrews 10:25, believers are told to encourage one another “all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The “Day” refers to the future Day of the Lord, when Jesus will return, God will judge evil, deliver His people, and bring His purposes for this age to completion. First Thessalonians 5:1–11 helps explain what Christians should understand about that coming day. Paul says it will come “like a thief in the night.” His point is not that believers should try to calculate exactly when Jesus will return. In fact, its timing will be unexpected. Instead, Christians should live every day knowing that Christ really is coming back and that His return could come suddenly.
For those who do not belong to Christ, that Day means judgment. But Paul tells believers that they are “children of light” and that God has not appointed them to wrath, but “to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Because of that hope, Christians should not live spiritually asleep or careless. We are called to stay awake, sober, faithful, loving, and hopeful as we wait for Jesus. Notice also how Paul ends this section: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” That connects directly with Hebrews 10. The approaching Day is not meant to make Christians obsessed with predicting dates; it should motivate us to live faithfully and to keep encouraging one another as we wait together for Christ’s return.
Reflection Questions:
Paul says the Day of the Lord will come “like a thief in the night.” What does that illustration teach us about the timing of Jesus’ return?
Paul tells Christians not to “sleep” spiritually, but to stay awake and sober. What might spiritual “sleepiness” look like in your own life?
According to verses 9–10, why can believers look toward the Day of the Lord with hope rather than fear?
Both 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Hebrews 10:24–25 tell Christians to encourage one another as the Day approaches. Why do you think preparing for Christ’s return is something Christians are meant to do together, rather than individually?