We Are Of The Day -- 1 Thess. 5:1-8 Thessalonica

According to one blogger He will return in 2014! Figured out by dates in the book of Daniel and simple math. Time, times and half a time = 3.5 years, but is really 42 months or 1,260 days. 1,290 days from another place in Daniel, or 43 months. Added together is 2,550 days – but really means years rather than days.

Countdown began from Dan. 9:25 and the decree by Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem. That was 536 B.C. Subtract 536 from 2,550 and you get 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!! His quote: “…God has seen fit to reveal the truth to me, His chosen prophet….It is privilege to be the first person who knows when Jesus will return.”

Switch from Gregorian calendar to Hebrew calendar (why for the day but not for the year?) Add entire months ever so often to make up for leap years. Do some more math, and you come out with March 5, Jesus returned on March 5, 2014!!!!! And you missed it????????? And this prophet didn’t even bother to be embarrassed enough to remove this false prophesy.

 1 Thessalonians 5: Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

What is meant by times and epochs? Times = CHRONOS – a period of time Epochs = KAIROS – a season of time So Paul says we are not to know the timing of the second coming of Christ.

 It is a day of visitation by the Lord.  2 Peter 3:10 -- But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

 The Parousia/Second Coming  They knew full well  They had no need of further teaching  Nor do we. What can be known has already been revealed. No new prophesy coming.  So – how do we live while we wait?

 Some choose to live in ignorance  5:3, 6-7 – “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child and they will not escape….

 Peace and Safety  Matt. 24:38 – “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark….”  But what did they KNOW?

 “…and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be….”

 Sleeping and drinking.  Life most ordinary.  No plans for the future.  Going for the gusto.  YOLO  They have NO escape!

 1 Thes. 5:4-6, 8 – “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

 Thieves come unexpectedly and surprise us.  We cannot be surprised by the day if we are walking in the day.  Only the unprepared need fear the second coming of Jesus.

 1 Peter 2:9 -- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

 Psychology paper on boredom in the military…  Hours of Boredom, Moments of Terror  How to stay ready?  “Military personnel compensate for intervals of boredom by participating in training, maintenance, additional activities and duties, and using modern electronic access to make contact with home and family.”  Are we ready for THE DAY?