Hope in the Day of the Lord (Part 2) - (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

Last Sunday, we learned that the Day of the Lord is coming (First Thessalonians 5:1-2). This Sunday, our attention will focus on verse 3. We’ll consider the Day of the Lord and the Unbeliever. Every person is separated by the distinction of believing or unbelieving. For the unbelieving, the prelude to the Day of the Lord will be the pronouncement of the false security. However, the Day of the Lord will not be a time of peace and safety but a time of tribulation and danger (Revelation 6-19). This will be followed by the peril of unprepared and unforeseen destruction (Matthew 10:28; 23:33; 25:46). The picture used to describe the sequence of the Day of the Lord is like the labor pains of a pregnant woman. Jesus described this time as, “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:8). This is what the future holds for those who are unbelieving. For the believer, First Thessalonians 4:13-18 teaches that those who died in Christ will be resurrected and those who are alive and remain when Jesus returns in the clouds will be raptured, to meet the Lord in the air, and we will forever be with the Lord. The believer will not be present. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” There is no escape except by believing in the salvation God has provided. Jesus died and rose again to pay for the destruction of sin. Jesus’ ransom rescues us with forgiveness of our sins and forever living. In light of the future Day of the Lord, we must speak the gospel and declare the message of sin, the cross, and the faith in the Savior, Who loves us and gave Himself for us.