The disciples are like soldiers of the Lord, therefore Paul exhorts: “Put on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation”. v.81 Thessalonians 5:8XWaiting for response If we are good soldiers, obedient and disciplined, we will “obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” v.91 Thessalonians 5:9XWaiting for response “who died for us”.v.101 Thessalonians 5:10XWaiting for response Therefore the apostle exhorted the disciples to keep the commandments vs.14-18.1 Thessalonians 5:14-18XWaiting for response If we do these things, the benediction of the apostle will apply to us: “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”.v.231 Thessalonians 5:23XWaiting for response
Verses 1-7
1 Thessalonians 5:1-7XWaiting for responseThe disciples of Christ in all ages have watched the signs of the times, hoping for the return of Jesus. God has given information about events among the nations during Christ’s absence so that disciples could know how developments in their own times fitted in the scheme of things, enabling them to anticipate his return. Even if he did not come in their lifetime, and death has laid them in the grave for a considerable period, their next conscious moment will be when Jesus is again present in the earth. The Thessalonian disciples knew the requirement to watch for the coming of Christ v.11 Thessalonians 5:1XWaiting for response and recognised that the Lord would come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.v.21 Thessalonians 5:2XWaiting for response The general attitude will be “Peace and safety” v.31 Thessalonians 5:3XWaiting for response so that most people will be like those that sleep when they should be watching, or drunk when they should be sober.v.71 Thessalonians 5:7XWaiting for response We likewise should be vigilant not, as it were, sleeping or drunk, but like men who wait for their Lord.