Explore the Bible: Knowing the Time

The Explore the Bible lesson for April 17 focuses on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

image_pdfimage_print
  • The Explore the Bible lesson for April 17 focuses on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

In 2020, a microscopic virus paralyzed the whole world. The pandemic brought death to table conversations. Most people feel uncomfortable talking about death, but the pandemic caused all of us to take precautions. Death is never an easy conversation. But what about the end of the world as we know it? Some people try to interpret the present time to predict the future. What would be our conduct if we knew the time of our death? What would change in people if they knew the end of time? Some charlatans deceive people into committing mass suicide with the thought of avoiding the end of time. The Bible clearly states that the day of the Lord will take place with certainty, but no one knows the exact time—only God.

Have the perspective of time (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)

There are two events connected to the eschaton or the end of the world. These are the return of Christ and the day of the Lord. Paul explained the coming of the Lord from the perspective of those who passed away in the last verses of chapter four. In chapter five, Paul wants those that are alive to be aware of the day of the Lord. For the original recipients of this letter, the day of the Lord is the day God will come to judge humanity. He introduces a paralipsis of eschatological events. Paul wants to provoke a question.

Our Lord Jesus Christ used the method of assertion. In John 14, Jesus said, “… and where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas poses the most outstanding question in human history, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?”

It is imperative to ask questions to develop critical thinking in scripture interpretation, but what to ask is the crucial element. According to Paul, people knew the times and seasons, but the question lingered in their minds: “When will these things happen?”

The illustration is “like a thief”—the same statement that Jesus gave. But Paul added “in the night.” These statements aim to make sure believers are on watch and alert. When the world promises peace and safety, it is when he is closer than ever.

Have your guard up at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:4-7)

The theme of the end times should not be a foreign subject. The church in Thessalonica suffered persecution and oppression for their faith in Jesus Christ. They wanted to know if, in the end, they would end up vindicated. They wanted to know God had not forgotten about their sufferings and that he would come back to bring justice.

Paul introduces the contrast between children of light and children of darkness for the Thessalonian Christians to be aware that they are the church. The church interprets times and seasons according to the biblical narrative and not according to an evolutionist narrative. The church understands times differently and responds to the eschaton events with hope and a great expectation of the glory of God to be seen. Believers need to be on guard, awakened and keep busy. The difference between a believer and an unbeliever is on a fundamental truth of preparation and disregard for the times.

Have faith in God’s timing (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Paul introduces the armor of God in this passage with the intent to illustrate how to prepare. To be sober is the instruction from Paul. What does it mean? It means a believer will practice self-control and avoid dependency on any substance that could impale their judgment. Drunkenness is a euphemism for those that choose to live for pleasure and excess, ignoring God’s ways. He suggests putting faith and love over our hearts; this will guide our minds to focus on our salvation.

Paul encourages his readers with the truth that God did not appoint believers for his wrath. It is crucial to understand because many people today confuse the negative things with God’s punishment. The actual day of the Lord does not look like a flat tire at noon in traffic. The day of the Lord will come for those that have not believed.


Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays


Today you are encouraged to know that our God is coming back, and it is not about knowing the times. It is about being ready when the time comes. Maranatha!

Ricardo Brambila, M.Div., is pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas and the executive director for West Dallas Community School, a Christian school for boys and girls with limited financial resources in West Dallas.

 


We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.

Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.

More from Baptist Standard