1 Thessalonians 5

Today, I'm going to quote the entire fifth chapter of 1 Thessalonians.  I cracked open my Bible today, and felt compelled to quote this chapter to you.  This is an excellent chapter to awaken sleeping Christians.

The emphasis and notes placed upon the text is my own.

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1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

 ¹ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (Every Christian should be able to recognize the return of our Lord.) ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath (the Rapture is NOT a cop-out for Christians to skip the Trib) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, (those living or dead when Christ returns) we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

 ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (Warn everyone!) ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, (you need a relationship with God, not just lip service)¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (Even the hard times, folks.)

 ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; (the prophecies are there to WARN us!! If you are unsure, TEST them, STUDY them for yourself!) hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

 ²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

 ²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

 ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Amen.
~~Becka