Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

The Day of the Lord! A day which is approaching quickly and — yes!— could happen at any moment. Therefore, we must understand what this Day is, why it is important, and how it relates to another event the Apostle Paul calls “the coming of the Lord.” If we can understand what this great Day is, then we will be more properly motivated to put on the armor of God (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8) and more comforted in this earthly pilgrimage (see 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

To illuminate the subject of "The Day of the Lord" as expounded by the Apostle Paul, we must highlight three essential facts that demand our observation.

First, it is important to note how sizable this subject is throughout the breadth of Scripture. The Day of the Lord is explicitly spoken of in every prophetic book of the Bible. Open to any Old Testament prophet, and you will find the prophet eventually speaking of this great Day.

Jesus and the Apostles also spoke frequently of this Day as well. Jesus preached a whole sermon on it (see Matthew 24). Paul dedicated his letters to the Thessalonians around this topic. Peter would end his letters reminding Christians of it. And who can forget John, who was the recipient of the Revelation of Christ which speaks in detail of this Day?

Clearly, the Scriptures are filled to the brim with this subject. How can we ignore it?

“The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly.” (Zephaniah 1:14)

Second, it is vital that we understand the Day of the Lord as an actual event, not a metaphor. What a tragedy — even arrogance! — that so many Bible students and theologians throw this immense topic into the air as nothing more than an analogy. They treat its existence with a lack of confidence that the Scriptures demand. We must not do this, Beloved. Prophetic literature makes up 30% of our Bibles, and would we say one-third of God's precious Word to us is nothing more than fancy metaphor? I do believe God is more serious than that! The Day of the Lord deserves our diligent study, not a vague outlook.

The Apostle Peter is bold to warn us that scoffers in the last days will rise up and mock its significance. Beware lest we mock ourselves!

“...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water...” (2 Peter 3:3–6)

Third, we must understand that the Day of the Lord refers to a period of time when God will execute His wrath against wickedness, culminating in cosmic repercussions and consequences. All of the prophets, even our Lord Jesus Christ, speak of this Day in the exact same way.

It is a Day of Wrath; a Day of Destruction; and a Day of Moral Execution on the Earth (see Isaiah 2:12-17, 13:6-9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 30:3; Daniel 12:1; Hosea 1:7; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Joel 1:15, 2:11; Malachi 4:1; Obadiah 1:15; Amos 5:18-20; Nahum 1:2-6)

“I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” (Isaiah 13:11)

It will crescendo into the decay of the cosmos, including the failing of the sun, moon and stars. Our Lord revealed that His Second Coming will be at the climax and conclusion of all these awesome events.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:24–26)

Returning, then, to our selected text in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, what does the Apostle Paul teach us? He teaches us that the Day of the Lord “comes as a thief in the night.” That is, it is imminent! It could come at any moment! Indeed, the world is already ripe for the Day of the Lord!

But what of us, Beloved? Do we need to fear this great Day of God’s wrath? The Apostle Paul anticipates this question and responds with an emphatic “No!”

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief... For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ...” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 9)

Before the onset of the awful Day of the Lord, there is the awesome Coming of the Lord (see 1 Thessalonians 4:15), which, Paul reveals, will constitute the snatching up of all Christians into the clouds to meet Christ in the air and be with Him forever.

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Beloved, what more can we do but praise the Lord for His tender mercies and grace? For Christ has not only spared our souls from the wrath of God in hell, but will spare our bodies from the wrath of God on earth before this awful Day. Therefore, be comforted and comfort one another with these words (see 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11)

“Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10–11)