The End Is Near!
Opening Prayer
Pray the words of Psalm 16:5 (GNB): “You, Lord … give me what I need; my future is in Your hands.”
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
[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. [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 but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. [10] He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. [11] Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Reflect
How are we to live while we await Christ's return?Down through the ages many people have tried to predict the end of the world. Christians have also tried to work out when Christ will return. Harold Camping predicted that the Lord would return to take his people (as in 4:16,17) on May, 21, 2011. He was mistaken! According to interpretations of the astrological predictions of the ancient Mayan culture, a cataclysmic world event was due to take place on December 21, 2012. Those interpretations were obviously mistaken, also. The Thessalonians were desperate to know how to prepare for Christ’s return. They thought that knowing the date would help them. Whenever “prophets” bandy about times and dates, we need to return to Jesus’ own teaching, as Paul does here (compare with Matt. 24:36,37,42-44). There is no point trying to second-guess God and pinpoint a date because Jesus’ return will be sudden and unexpected. But those who believe in Christ (“sons of light,” 5) don’t need to fear the future because Christ’s death means that God will spare us from judgment (9). What we can do is to be ready for him by living each day in a way that honors God (8). That’s all we need to know and do!
Apply
If you know anyone worrying about “the end of the world,” tell them what Jesus has said about the future.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I don’t know when You’ll come again, but I want to be living to honor You in the meantime.
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