Tuesday 5th November 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Topic:- The Timing Of Christ’s Second Coming
Text:- Luke 21:7
Can Christians Know the Timing of Christ’s coming? Many wish to know when Jesus will return to establish His kingdom fully as followings:
1. The Disciples asked this very question. In Jesus’ reply, known as the Olivet Discourse, he affirms that, though signs will presage His return, the actual timing of his second coming is not for us to know. See Matthew 24:36-44; Mark 13:4,24-25:13; Luke 12:39-46; 21:7.
2. Instead, believers should wait patiently and always be prepared for his appearance. See Matthew 24:45-25:13; Luke 12:39-46.
3. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul also answers questions about the timing of Jesus’ return, and he carefully models his response on Jesus’ teaching. It may be that a letter had arrived from Thessalonica or that Timothy had brought back news, thus signaling the Thessalonians’ desire for more instruction on the timing of Jesus’ second coming.
Concerning “the times and the seasons,” where Jesus responds to the Disciples’ question about the timing of the restoration of the kingdom of God. See Acts 1:17.
4. Referring again to the Church as “Brothers,” Paul reminds the Church concerning instruction they had already received when Paul and his team were with them in Thessalonica. Rhetorically, Paul underscores that they “have no need to have anything written to you.”
5. With contributions from a team of Pastors and Scholars, Paul’s letters helps Students of the Bible to understand how each Epistle fits in with the storyline of Scripture and applies today.
6. Paul stresses again that they already know the answer to this question, employing the intensified pronoun “you yourselves,” and stating that they are already, “fully” [Greek. akribōs, “accurately”] aware of the proper reply.
7. Admittedly, this reply is perhaps disappointing to some: the timing of Jesus’ return will be a surprise. Jesus compared his return to a “thief,” who comes in the night at a time at which no one expects Him. See Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39.
8. In this verse, Paul references Jesus’ own eschatological teaching, as he did earlier. See 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:15; 4:16; 5:1.
9. Jesus’ “thief” aphorism was clearly well known in the Apostolic Tradition. See 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15.
10. Throughout the NT, this thief saying appears in the context of warning and exhortation. The thief causes injury to the household; therefore, those unprepared for the Lord’s return will suffer loss and destruction. This provides a helpful transition. See 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8.
11. Paul draws on OT vocabulary for the “day of the Lord.” See Isaiah 13:6, 9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 2:31; 3:14; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:7-18; Malachi 4:5.
12. To depict the day on which the Lord Jesus will appear to bring final judgment on His enemies and vindication for His people. See 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10.
Prayer Point:- Oh Lord God, help me to get prepared for Your second coming, never allowed me to miss the day, in the name of Jesus Christ.
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