Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 18
1 Thessalonians 5 | page 1592
life again, we also believe that when Jesus
returns, God will bring back with him the
believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord:
We who are still living when the Lord returns
will not meet him ahead of those who have
died.* 16 For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven with a commanding shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trumpet call of God. First, the believers
who have died* will rise from their graves.
17 Then, together with them, we who are still
alive and remain on the earth will be caught
up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So
encourage each other with these words.
5
Now concerning how and when all this
will happen, dear brothers and sisters,*
we don’t really need to write you. 2 For
you know quite well that the day of the
Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a
thief in the night. 3 When people are saying,
“Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there
will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these
things, dear brothers and sisters, and you
won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord
comes like a thief.* 5 For you are all children
of the light and of the day; we don’t belong
to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard,
not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be
clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people
sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who
live in the light be clearheaded, protected by
the armor of faith and love, and wearing as
our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our
Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger
on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether
we are dead or alive when he returns, we can
live with him forever. 11 So encourage each
other and build each other up, just as you are
already doing.
Paul’s Final Advice
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who
are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They
work hard among you and give you spiritual
guidance. 13 Show them great respect and
wholehearted love because of their work.
And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn
those who are lazy. Encourage those who
are timid. Take tender care of those who are
weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil,
but always try to do good to each other and
to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying.
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is
God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not
scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that
is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away
from every kind of evil.
12
Paul’s Final Greetings
Now may the God of peace make you holy
in every way, and may your whole spirit and
soul and body be kept blameless until our
Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will
make this happen, for he who calls you is
faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a
sacred kiss.
27 I command you in the name of the Lord
to read this letter to all the brothers and
sisters.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you.
23
4:15 Greek those who have fallen asleep. 4:16 Greek the dead in Christ. 5:1 Greek brothers; also in 5:4, 12, 14, 25,
26, 27. 5:4 Some manuscripts read comes upon you as if you were thieves.
5:1-11 Paul warns us of a day when God will hold all people accountable for their attitudes and actions.
Since this time will come unexpectedly, we need to stay alert and ready at all times. This is especially
important for those of us who tend to procrastinate. God wants us to act immediately whenever we see
sin in our lives. He doesn’t want us to delay confessing our sins or forgiving others. When God shows us
where we need to change, he also offers us the power to change. There is no acceptable reason to put
off doing what God calls us to do. The time to obey God is always now.
5:14-28 In these verses, Paul leaves us with a collection of good teaching. If we follow these many
instructions, as we can with God’s help, we will be well on our way. We are called to minister to others
and to actively participate in God’s ongoing work on earth. This gives hope to others and preserves our
own spiritual gains as well. Paul calls us to rebuild our relationships by repaying the wrongs of others with
kindness. We are called to live joyful lives, to be always prayerful, to continually seek God’s will. We are
reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s continual helping presence. God gives us what we need to
fulfill his plan for our lives. Our part is to participate in the good plan he has set out for us.
