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1 Thessalonians 5:2 - The Day of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NIV) for you know very 
well that the day of the Lord will come like a 
thief in the night.  

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NLT) For you know quite 
well that the day of the Lords return will 
come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  

WORD STUDY

Day Of The Lord

OT phrase representing the last days. 
[Andrews SB] 

The time when God will come to judge 
humanity and save his people. [NLT SB 2008]  

Is common in the OT Prophets. It refers to 
the great and terrible day when Yahweh will 
intervene to punish the disobedient and to save the 
faithful. In Pauls letters it is equated with the 
second coming. [ESV SB 2008]  

The expression goes back to Am 5:18. In the 
OT it is a time when God will come and 
intervene with judgment and/or blessing. In the NT the 
thought of judgment continues, but it is also the 
day of redemption; the day of God or of 
Christ; and the last day, the great Day 
or simply the day. It is the consummation 
of all things. There will be limited 
preliminary signs, but the coming will be as unexpected 
as that of a thief in the night. [NIV SB 2020] 

INTRODUCTION

The "day of the Lord's return" is a future 
time when God will intervene directly and 
dramatically in world affairs. Predicted and discussed 
often in the Old Testament, the day of the Lord 
will include both punishment and blessing. Christ 
will judge sin and set up his eternal Kingdom. 
[Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   In the Scriptures, the exhortation to 
prepare for the day of the Lord is usually given to 
Gods people, rather than to unbelievers. 
Christians must be prepared for Christs return, so 
that they can properly respond to Him. The most 
important thing about the day of the Lord is clear: it 
comes unexpectedly. 
   In Scripture, there are several 
references to the day of the Lord. Often this refers to 
Jesus first coming or His second coming, but it 
can also refer to any time God comes to His 
people, either in salvation or judgment (Is 13:6; 
Joe 2:11; Mal 3:2). Amos had predicted that the 
day of the Lord would be far different from what 
the people expected (Am 5:18). The people of his 
day thought it would come with joy and singing, 
yet Amos said there would be grieving and 
judgment of sin. When Jesus came the first time, His 
coming caught people by surprise. Because they were 
expecting the Messiah to come in a different way, many 
did not recognize Him. 
   The final day of the Lord will be at 
Christs second coming. Meanwhile, there will be 
times when God will come to you, your family, and 
friends. You need to be watching for the signs of 
Gods convicting work in your children, your 
friends, and your coworkers. You must take notice 
when God begins to do a special work in the lives 
of the people in your church. It may be that 
you have an unusual sense of Gods presence in 
a worship service and you begin to intercede 
for those who are present. Prepare yourself now 
and pay attention to what is happening in the 
lives of those around you. You may discover that 
the day of the Lord is at hand. [Experiencing 
God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby re 
1Th. 5:2] 

CLOSING PEARL

Triumph And Glory
   Christians have no cause to go around 
wringing their hands, wondering what they will do in 
the face of the present world situation. The 
Scripture says that in the midst of persecution, 
confusion, wars, and rumors of wars, we are to comfort 
one another with the knowledge that Jesus Christ 
is coming back in triumph, glory, and majesty. 
Many times when I go to bed at night, I think 
that before I awaken, Christ may come. Sometimes 
when I get up and look at the dawn, I think that 
perhaps this is the day He will return. 
   But until that day, God is still working 
- and so should we. In a world filled with 
turmoil and hopelessness, we are to pray, and we are 
to do all we can to alleviate suffering and 
bring Christ's love to others. May Jesus' words 
become true in your life: "Let your light so shine 
before men, that they may see your good works and 
glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). [Hope 
for Each Day by Billy Graham] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC:

Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220113-0822.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Parable of the Sower - Open Heart Surgery by 
Ralph Ringer: https://vimeo.com/666314378 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE