1Thessalonians and the Return of Jesus Christ

1Thessalonians and the Return of Jesus Christ
By Kato Mivule
January 30, 2008

Looking through the letters of Paul the Apostle, when one does a study on The Second Coming of Christ, one does not fail to see the consistency with which Paul writes and categorically agrees with the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning the Second Coming in the Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Today as we look at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians and study about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, one finds that the letters are self explanatory and there is no contradiction as to what Paul taught and what Jesus Christ taught on the same subject.

Often it is Theologians who confuse the Church with their on views and opinions which certainly are not scriptural but always contradict the Teachings of Jesus Christ in order to sustain a Theological view point of an organization or denomination.

The worst of these views has been the tradition and deception that the Church will somehow be raptured secretly away from before the Tribulation period starts and those left behind will have to deal with the Antichrist and other evil forces… This deception is from the pit of Hell as it blinds Christians from what will shortly transpire on earth and makes them disobey the command of The Lord that we must watch…

…and wait for His Son from Heaven – Jesus Christ
The early church clearly studied about the Second Coming of The Lord Jesus Christ and it was part and parcel of their daily belief system and theology. They looked forward and anticipated the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They obeyed The Lord by watching as The Lord commanded the disciples.

We see clearly in these scriptures below how Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about their Faith and how this faith was spoken of abroad by other saints… How they turned away from idols and served the living and true God…and waited for His son from Heaven – Jesus Christ who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Clearly the early Church waited for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ from Heaven… They did not expect Christ Jesus to return three times or four times but the Second Time. So, the context spoken of here in this verse with the rest of the letter of 1Thessolonians speaks about the Second Coming and all other events that take place before Christ comes back, happen in context with His second Coming.

Notice that Paul speaks about The Lord Jesus Christ who delivered us from the wrath to come… Delivered us from the wrath to come, being in past tense… We are not destined for wrath but we do go through the great tribulation and this is consistent with the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24…

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
(7) So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
(8) For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
(9) For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
(10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.


In the Presence of Christ at His Second Coming…
Paul the apostle had no greater joy and reason for rejoicing but to see the Thessalonica Saints in the presence of Jesus Christ at His Coming. Clearly Paul wanted the saints to be prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and not only prepared but to appear in His Presence when Jesus Christ Comes.

Notice that the ‘coming’ of Christ Jesus in this verse is in context with the Second Coming and not some other mystical secret rapture… The Second Coming of Jesus Christ cannot be separated from our Faith in Christ Jesus as some none vital or trivial issue. Those who see the Second Coming of Christ as trivial matter set themselves on a path of deception and destruction.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
(19) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
(20) For ye are our glory and joy.

Suffering and Tribulations – we are appointed for such…
As one studies the first chapters of 1Thessolonians, we see Paul the apostle addressing the issue of suffering for Christ and going through Tribulations… The topic of tribulation was not new but Paul and other elders had discussed this matter the Saints in Thessalonica before.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
(1) Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
(2) And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
(3) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
(4) For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
(5) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.

Paul tells the saints how they should not be moved by these afflictions and that the saints were appointed to such sufferings…whew! What a contrast to what is being preached in many Churches today… How dare you stand up in a “Christian” congregation today and tell them that they have to endure sufferings for Christ because they were appointed for such?

Paul continues to emphasize to the Thessalonica saints that he told them plainly before that they would suffer tribulation even as it came to pass. The Western Church today distances itself from the Tribulations and sufferings to come to the saints by stating over and over again a deception from Satan, that they will escape these sufferings and tribulations through a ‘secret rapture’.

Brethren, lets not be deceived, we are going to have to endure great suffering for Christ Jesus. We as Christians will have to go through the Great Tribulation and yes, we shall be hated of all nations and many will be killed because of their faith in Christ Jesus.

Things are NOT going to get better but worse and worse and certainly not rosy for the Saints… Those who tell you that you will not suffer tribulation for Christ’s sake are liars, frauds, and deceivers, flee from them because they are NOT telling the Truth… The reason for Paul to write this letter to the saints in Thessalonica was to encourage them in their faith as they faced sufferings and persecutions for Jesus Christ’s sake…

The Saints in Thessalonica knew that they would have to endure Tribulation… Paul the Apostle agrees with the Teachings of Jesus Christ on the same matter even as John the Apostle concurs…

Matthew 24:9-13
(9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
(10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
(11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
(13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 24:21-22
(21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Revelation 7:9-17
(9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
(11) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,
(12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.
(13) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
(14) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
(15) Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
(16) They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
(17) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.


May the Lord establish you in Holiness until Jesus Christ returns…
Paul prays for the saints in Thessalonica that they also abound in love and that The Lord establish their hearts blameless in holiness before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ was central doctrine to the early Church that Paul even prays for the saints accordingly.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

How much more do we need such prayers today that The Lord establishes our hearts unblamable in Holiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints?

It is interesting to note that Paul now mentions the coming of Jesus Christ with His saints…
Clearly speaking about the saints who have died in Christ Jesus as these are the first to resurrect when Christ returns and then we who are alive and remain are changed and caught up in the air to meet The Lord as Paul explains later…

So, there are no inconsistencies in scripture concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ but the confusion comes from denominations and theologians who front their traditions and opinions as if they are commands from The Lord…

The early saints took the second coming of Jesus Christ with all seriousness that they sought The Lord to help them have establish their hearts unblamable in Holiness until Christ Jesus returns with all His saints…

Those Christians who think that the second coming of Christ Jesus in trivial matter are only deluding themselves…not so with the Thessalonica Saints, they took it seriously…

The Resurrection of the Saints – at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ…
The saints in Thessalonica seemed to have faced a problem of being too sorrowful for their fellow saints who had died. They needed an encouragement that the saints would be resurrected. Paul the apostle told them that there was a resurrection going to take place for all saints who had died in The Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Paul the apostle explains when the resurrection of the Saints would happen. It would take place at the coming of Jesus Christ. When the Lord Jesus Christ descends from heaven, with the shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, then the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.

Paul agrees with all the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning this matter…that there will be a resurrection of the Just and the resurrection of the unjust. However, the resurrection of the just – saints happens at the coming of Jesus Christ which is the second coming.

So, the issue of the resurrection of the saints is very important as it does NOT take place until ALL who are called as saints to die for Christ are dead – when their full number has come. That means that the resurrection of the saints cannot happen until the last martyr is killed right down into the book of Revelation…

Remember Jesus Christ taught that there will ONLY be two resurrections and NOT three or for or even five… The word of God agrees and never contradicts itself… Therefore Paul the apostle, John the apostle all agree with the doctrine of Jesus Christ on this very crucial matter…

John 5:25-29
(25) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
(26) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
(27) And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
(28) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
(29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Acts 24:14-15
(14) But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
(15) And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Revelation 6:9-11
(9) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
(10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
(11) And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Revelation 20:4-6
(4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

There will ONLY be TWO Resurrections and not three or five. The Two Resurrections are the Resurrection of the Just and the Resurrection of the Unjust. The Resurrection of the Just takes place when Jesus Christ returns – at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of the Just is the First Resurrection. The Resurrection of the unjust is the Second Resurrection.

Secondly the resurrection of the Just cannot take place until all the saints that are to be killed during the great tribulation are killed as stated in the scripture above. The Souls of the saints who had been martyred cried out to The Lord for justice to be executed on their behalf. However, they were given white robes and told to rest until the full number of those to be executed or killed was complete.

We also see that in Revelation 20:4-5 that there we have the First Resurrection – the Resurrection of the Just. We see the saints who had been beheaded fore Christ’s sake seated on the Thrones and judgment given unto them. Brethren, this is the first resurrection of the just in Christ Jesus. It takes place when Jesus Christ returns.

For we know that when He comes, the dead in Christ rise first, and we who are alive and remain, are changed, then caught up in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air… There is not so much difficulty in understanding this passage and allowing the Bible to interpret itself… All major inconsistencies that Theologians and Bible Prophecy students build over this matter are because they don’t allow the Bible to interpret itself but instead allow interpretations of Man to take full course…

So, we discover something very important and that is that the Resurrection of the Saints or the resurrection of Just happens at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of the Saints cannot happen at any other moment because the Dead in Christ rise first according to Paul’s Teachings and therefore the Rapture and Resurrection all happen at one event and that is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Looking at the Scriptures and consistency with the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ does NOT happen until After the Tribulation of those days – referring here to the Great Tribulation which Jesus spoke about happening after the Abomination of Desolation takes place.

Then that clearly places the Rapture or the ‘Caught Up’ after the Tribulation of those days when the full number of saints to be killed is complete and so that they are part of the Resurrection of the Just…

Matthew 24:29-31
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mark 13:24-27
(24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
(25) And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
(26) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
(27) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Luke 21:25-28
(25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
(27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We see from the above scriptures that Jesus Christ describes His Second Coming by stating when it will happen – the period of time, He also states what how it happens…


*
When: Immediately after the Tribulation of those days…
*
What Takes Place?



o
Cosmic Events take place – Sun and Moon are darkened, stars fall…
o
Son of Man – Jesus Christ appears in the clouds with great glory…
o
All Tribes of the earth will see Him and mourn…
o
At the sound of a Trumpet He will send His angels…
o
Jesus Christ sends His angels to gather His Elect, the Saints, the Believers…
o
They gather them from the uttermost parts of the Earth to the utter most part of Heaven… figurative of both Saints alive and those Dead in Christ…


So, the sequence of events described by Jesus Christ lines up very well with that described by Paul the apostle…

Paul speaks about the Trump of God being sounded just as Jesus Christ spoke of the Trump of God being sounded in Matthew 24:29-31… This is the last trump spoken about by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52…

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
(51) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
(52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Now, we have to look for were the last trump is in the Bible…we see that we have the Last Trumpet sounded (and mentioned) in the book of Revelation 10 and Revelation 11…

Revelation 10:7
(7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Revelation 11:15-18
(15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.
(16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God,
(17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
(18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

We see that when the Seventh Trumpet is sounded, the mystery of God is finished as declared to the prophets in the Bible… We see that when the Seventh Trumpet – Last Trumpet – Last Trump is sounded, the following happens…


*
The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ…
*
He reigns for ever and ever…
*
The Lamb takes his power and reigns…
*
His wrath comes upon the nations that were angry at Him…
*
The time for the dead to be judged…
*
Time to give rewards to His servants the prophets and the saints…
*
Time to destroy those who destroyed the earth…


All these events above take place at the Second Coming of The Lord Jesus Christ. We see that they are very consistent with what Paul taught in 1Thessalonians… We see that they are consistent with Revelations 20:4-5 – the Martyred saints seating on thrones and judgment being given to them, and the first resurrection…

The Last Trumpet – The Seventh Trumpet announces…


*
The reigns of Messiah over the Earth – for the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ…
*
The wrath of Messiah on all nations that are enemies to Messiah…
*
The Resurrection of the just – they receive judgment and seat on thrones – The First Resurrection…
*
The rewarding of the prophets and the saints…
*
Time to destroy the destroyers of the earth – Antichrist and False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire…Satan is bound for 1000 years…


We see that the Last Trump spoken by Paul in 1Corithians 15:51-52 and 1Thessalonians 4:16 are one and the same as the Last Trumpet in Revelations 11:15-18…

Therefore there CANNOT be a Pre Tribulation Rapture as that would greatly defy the consistency and self supplementation of scripture. It would defy the principle of the Bible interpreting itself… It would cause the Bible to be a book full of contradictions yet it is not. What some confused pre tribulation theologians have done is made the Bible look like it self contradicts…

Time Table of Events when Jesus Christ Returns…


*
The Cosmic Events…Sun and Moon darkened…
*
Jesus Christ Descends from Heaven…
*
Jesus Christ Descends at the Sound of the Trump of God – The Last Trump…
*
Jesus Christ appears in all His glory…
*
All tribes see Him and mourn…
*
The Dead in Christ rise first…
*
Then we who are alive and remain are caught up in the Clouds to meet Him in the air…
*
Forever we shall be with Jesus Christ…Amen…


We are NOT in Darkness for that Day to catch us unaware…

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
(1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
(2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
(3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
(4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
(5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
(8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
(9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
(10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
(11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

From the above scripture we see that Paul the Apostle exhorting the saints at Thessalonica to be sober and watch. He tells them that they are NOT in darkness that the Day of The Lord should overtake us as a thief in the night. Those who will get caught by surprise are those who walk in darkness and are not sober or watching.

The warnings that Paul gives to the Saints in Thessalonica do apply to us today that we watch and be sober. We are to watch for the signs of the times as Jesus Christ pointed out to us In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21… Now Paul was not in anyway contradicting what Jesus Christ taught that no man knows the day or the hour and that the Lord would come as a thief in the night…

Some theologians and Bible Prophecy students take the statement that Christ would come as a thief in the night to support their erroneous theology of a secret rapture. Paul makes it clear that Christ Jesus would return as a thief in the night to those who are in darkness but if we watch and are sober, then the day of The Lord should not take us by surprise as a thief in the night.

Christ Jesus will return as a thief in the night to those who refuse to watch, to the sons of darkness, and to those who are drunk with the cares and riches of this world…those who refuse to watch… The scriptures below are self explanatory and the context is very clear that Christ Jesus returns as a thief in the night to those who are not watching and drunk with the cares and love of this world and those who are NOT watching as Jesus Christ commanded us to do…

Jesus Christ commands us to watch for all the signs that point to His Second coming…

Matthew 24:33-35
(33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
(34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
(35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Don’t be caught unaware as in Noah’s days…
The context here is again watching otherwise The Lord will come as a thief in the night to those who refuse to watch and are caught up with the normal life routines and get caught up unawares.

This is also a strong warning to every one that we be ready to meet The Lord as we might be called anytime to eternity without warning. Many people are busy with their life schedules and chasing after the things of this world but never stop to think about if their souls are called to eternity – when they die.

Like one minister said…death is imminent for both Christians and none Christians, therefore we are to watch and pray that we be worthy to stand before the Son of Man – Jesus Christ and escape all these things… Today the world is busy as in Noah’s days with prosperity and cares of this life yet judgment comes upon them unawares…

Even though the people saw Noah build and finish the ark and enter it, they still refused to watch and thought it was trivial matter until it was too late… Today despite the signs that Jesus Christ gave us concerning His Second Coming being fulfilled, many Christians still refuse to watch thinking that it as a trivial and laughable matter – they scoff at The Lord’s commands just like Noah’s generation did…

Matthew 24:36-44
(36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
(37) But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
(39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
(40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
(43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
(44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Right food in due season when you watch…
The Context of this scripture is that we Must Watch otherwise The Lord Jesus Christ will come at an hour in which we are unaware and not looking for His return… The foolish servant failed to give food in due season…

He failed to teach the Right Doctrine to the saints cause He was NOT watching and therefore The Coming of The Lord to Him was like that of a thief in the night…the foolish servant was not sober but drunken with the drunkards – enjoying life with people of the world – sounds reminiscent of the prosperity movement…

Matthew 24:45-51
(45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
(46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
(47) Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
(48) But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
(49) And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
(50) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
(51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Wise and Foolish Virgins; the Foolish failed to watch!
Once again the context of the foolish virgins and wise virgins is watching for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Foolish were without oil enough to take them through when they heard the midnight cry announcing the coming of the Bridegroom…

However, the wise virgins had enough oil to take them through… Jesus Christ summarizes by saying that ‘watch therefore for you know not the day or the hour’… The foolish virgins were caught up with the things of this world that they failed to watch as we shall see that the cares of this world and things of this world is what hinders many people from watching…they simply want to enjoy life just like it was in Noah’s days…

The Foolish virgins fell in love with the things of this world and therefore made themselves enemies of God. That is reason why The Bridegroom tells them that He does not know them, a similar statement Jesus Christ makes to those who say Lord, Lord but did not do the will of The Lord yet claim to have cast out demons and performed miracles and wonders in The Lord’s Name… The Lord called them workers of iniquity and that He never knew them…

Matthew 25:1-13
(1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
(2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
(3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
(4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
(5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
(6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
(7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
(8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
(9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
(10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
(11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
(13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The Fig Tree – When You See all these things take place…
The context of the Fig tree is that we watch for the signs that point to the second coming of Jesus Christ and the events that precede His Second Coming, including the rebirth of the nation of Israel. Many Christians will be deceived into accepting the Antichrist simply because they are not watching… The Lord will come as a Thief in the Night to those who are not watching…those who are not sober and caught up in the things of this world…

Mark 13:28-33
(28) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
(29) So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
(30) Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
(31) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(32) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
(33) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

The Lord Commanded the Porter to Watch!
There is no doubt that the context of this verse is that we watch and be sober as Children of the Light. For the Lord will come as a thief in the night to those who refuse to watch and are in partnership with the drunkards and sons of darkness…

This is a strong warning to Christians caught up in the love of this world that they careless about the Prophetic scriptures warning us about the Day of The Lord and events preceding the Second Coming…

Brethren, let us not sleep but be sober and watch as The Lord has commanded us to do so…we are NOT sons of darkness that we should slumber and that day gets us unaware… Let’s watch for all the signs as The Lord has given then to us…we are sons of the light and of the day…

Mark 13:34-37
(34) For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
(35) Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
(36) Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
(37) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Take Heed that you are not caught up with the Love of this world…
Jesus Christ gives us a strong warning here that when we see these signs begin to happen and take place, let us know that the Kingdom of God is nigh and at hand… Jesus Christ mentions the fig tree which is representative of the signs He spoke about coming to pass.

However, this piece of scripture is also in context with 1Thessalonians 5 that we watch and be sober… Jesus Christ gives us the list of things that make people not watch and not keep enough oil in their lamps or even carry extra…and these are the cares of this life, drunkenness, and surfeiting or excess and self indulgency. This is again reminiscent of the prosperity doctrine and what it is doing to the church today…

The Church today is caught up in how to get rich and how to establish herself as a power to be reckoned with in the world that they are longer watching. Therefore as they declare peace and prosperity, judgment and destruction will catch them unawares…

Luke 21:29-36
(29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
(30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
(31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
(32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
(33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
(36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

We see that Peter the apostle was also speaking about the day of The Lord coming as a thief in the night but in context with 1Thessalonians 5. We see Peter the apostle warning the saints that the Day of The Lord would come as thief in the night without warning.

However this is to those who are in darkness that this day will come as a thief in the night since they don’t watch…and to a large extent that is the world. Peter the apostle then goes ahead to warn the saints to walk in the fear of The Lord – that includes obeying The Lord’s commands. To be found in Him spotless and blameless and above all looking for and hastening the coming of The Lord.

We are commanded as Christians to look for the Coming of The Lord yet many Christians ridicule and scoff those who rightly teach about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ…what a contrast with the early Church. Many Christians today feel like Jesus Christ is encroaching in on their programs of life when they hear teachers teach about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Yet they forget that any moment death could happen and they are eternally interrupted when their souls are called from this life…

It is always the Love of the world that has caused Christians not to watch and therefore they walk with spots of sin, without peace, to be blamed, and not looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ…brethren this ought not to be so…

2 Peter 3:10-14
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Despise not prophecies…and Discern…
1 Thessalonians ends with an exhortation that the saints rejoice, pray without ceasing, give thanks, quench not the Spirit and despise not prophecies. We know we have lots of prophetic scriptures in both the Old Testament and New Testament that point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the events preceding that event.

We are NOT to despise these prophecies as being trivial matter but are to watch and Test or prove all things, in other words we are to be discerning in these last days as they are full of deception just like Jesus Christ warned us in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

It is when we discern basing on God’s Holy Word that we shall abstain from all appearance of evil. We should depart from all appearances of evil; however, many Christians don’t because they are in love with the world and the things of the world…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
(16) Rejoice evermore.
(17) Pray without ceasing.
(18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(19) Quench not the Spirit.
(20) Despise not prophesyings.
(21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The Lord Preserve you Blameless until He comes again…
Paul the apostle prays for the saints at Thessalonica that The Lord would preserve them blameless until the day The Lord returns, that The Lord sanctifies them wholly… We see that Paul prays for sanctification of the saints and also that they be preserved blameless and untainted with the things of this world.

Paul assures the saints at Thessalonica that The Lord who called them is faithful and will do it… Do what? Sanctify them, Preserve them, and keep them blameless until He comes again at His Second Coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

However, we find that The Lord sanctifies His saints through the fires of the great tribulation. Yes, most of the church today walks in rebellion towards The Lord, however, there is coming a time that The Lord will allow the saints to go through the fires of the great Tribulation for their sanctification and preservation from being contaminated with the love of the world and things of this world…amen…

Revelation 7:9-17
(9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
(11) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,
(12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.
(13) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
(14) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
(15) Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
(16) They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
(17) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
Uganda, Africa