1 Thessalonians 5: 1-10 the Day of the Lord

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. 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. 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. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 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. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Here Paul echoes Jesus' warnings found in the gospel. It has to do with what a servant does with his life while he awaits his return. False prophets will be crying "peace and safety," but there will be no peace or safety until the Master returns. Some will come in the name of peace and will even fool some of God's elect. They will try to reconcile the Jews and Arabs, but there will be no lasting peace apart from the Prince of Peace. Therefore we must do as Paul says elsewhere and that is look up and earnestly await our blessed hope.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, hasten your return. We all suffer when there is no peace or safety. Many even perish in their sins. Create in us a pure heart and a sober mind who takes on the work of our Father while we await your imminent return. I pray in your blessed name Amen.