02/02/2025 – Day 217 – 1 Thessalonians – Chapters 4 – 5 / Chapter 5. “The Lord’s Coming”
Here is Halley’s Bible Handbook’s commentary on 5: 1-12 with respect to the suddenness of the Lord’s coming:
“In Suddenness (1 – 11). There is nothing here to indicate when it will be. Only that, whenever it is, it will be with unexpected suddenness. ‘Signs’ will precede the Coming, so that patient believers may feel that it is near, while the world generally scoffs at the idea. But even those who are watching are warned lest they be caught off guard. It will be as a ‘thief in the night’ (2). Jesus had said that over and over (Matthew 24:36, 42; 25:13; Mark 13: 32-37; Luke 12:39, 46; 21: 25-35), and with solemn earnestness warned his disciples to ‘watch’.’ (For note as to the time of His Coming see under II Thessalonians 2 and II Peter 3.”
Verse 5:17 has only three words: “pray without ceasing”. This John Bunyan quote is noted as commentary to that verse: “Prayer is the shield to the soul, a delight to God, and a scourge to Satan.”
Three short calls in three verses: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18). So, even in times of suffering, if we rejoice and give thanks in spite of the suffering, we have seized upon an opportunity to give glory to God.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.