But of the times and the seasons,
brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you. For yourselves
know perfectly that the day
of the Lord so cometh as a thief
in the night. For when they shall say,
Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child;
and they shall not escape. But ye
brethren, are not in darkness,
that that day should overtake you
as a thief. Ye are all the children
of light, and the children of the day:
we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but us watch and be sober.
1Thessalonians 5:1-6
Paul is exhorting the Thessalonians to be always ready for the coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world. Furthermore His coming with be sudden and surprising for those not watching. There has been and there is now much debating over the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Here once again to know the Greek will give understanding: The Greek word: κλέπτω, meaning a thief, the word where we get in English Kleptomanic, is not used, rather: κλέπτης, metaphorically means "false teacher" (John 10:8), figuratively of the Coming of Jesus Christ, a kleptes uses deception while the lestes is a robber who plunders, audaciously snatching away that which is another's. The English word, "thief," is hardly used as the Greeks used this word, but we do use it for we say that a person has falsely taught and usually for personal gain. Christians are being warned against false teachers who would steal away from the the truth, but they had the truth. The Thessalonians were not in darkness in regards to the truth and neither are you if you are following Scripture and not some man's speculation about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There are those who teach about the Second Coming and allegorically apply Scripture: i.e., helicopters, tanks, swarms of Muslims, etc., or they seem to always speak of the Second Coming of Jesus and little about how a Christian is to live Authentically. Authentic Christians should have no fear. I know when Jesus is Coming, in fact, I know the very day Jesus is coming: here it is: THE LAST DAY! Until that day we are not to sleep for if we do mentally and spiritually sleep we will be overtaken by those thieves who want to snatch you from the truth. The word for sober means to have your mind alert for those drunken have minds that are asleep, not affective. Paul adds: "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain, salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that ,whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1Thessalonians 5:7-11).
Be a man, be a woman, stand firm for your faith and watch, be steadfast in faith. Be moderate in all things and this moderation should be known among all men for they see you pragmatically working out your faith. Faith, do you believe? Do you have absolute faith in God, in Jesus Christ and in your salvation? If you have those things then your eyes will be upon God for His eyes are always upon us. We should have fervent love, true love for God and the things of God. Our hope of salvation, that salvation through the grace of God, eternal life will be your helmet, that is, you will not be drunken, or asleep mentally. You cannot earn or obtain salvation by your works, but your works should stem from your faith, to bring glory to God, to Jesus Christ Who died for you. Join together in prayer with you brothers and sisters, in praise to God, edify one another for this is a true and faithful brother or sister in Jesus Christ.
Think upon this: Nothing can take you out of the hand of Jesus, from the Father's grace and salvation. If they kill you, ok, your soul goes to heaven, your body to the grave. What do you have to lose? Nothing! Of course we do not want to be killed but are you willing to metaphorically "kill," that which keeps your from living Authentically for Jesus Christ. Kill it! Never forget: you are a witness for God, the bride of Jesus Christ, His ambassador, and your first responsibility is to work with Him, and from that all other things will have value and will represent Jesus Christ. All will be blessed by your faithful steward of who and whose you are.
Praise ye the LORD, Praise,
O ye servants of the LORD
praise the name of the LORD.
Psalm 113:1
Be awake and watch Jesus is coming
Richard L. Crumb
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