I’m in a study of the New Testament book known as “First Thessalonians.”
In Chapter 5, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “Day of the Lord” and the simile “like a thief in the night.” The MacArthur Study Bible says that “Day of the Lord” and “thief in the night” refer to two distinct events: Jesus Christ’s return to earth at the end of the seven-year-tribulation and Christ’s return at the end of his millennial reign.
In verse 1 of First Thessalonians 5, the phrase “times and seasons” refers to what I call the two m’s of this verse: the measurement of time and the mayhem that will take place within that time.
Verse 1 begins with the word “but,” which indicates a change in topics, and what a contrast the change is. Preceding the “but” is where he discusses the happiest event that will ever take place: the dead in Christ rising and Christians who are alive being caught up to be with the Lord always; however, after the but, he begins to talk about the Day of the Lord, which is wrath on the world.
1. In the chapter that precedes First Thessalonians 5, the subject is
A. the crucifixion of Jesus.
B. the resurrection of Jesus.
C. the rapture.
D. the humorous side of Jesus.
E. the province of Galilee.
2. mayhem (MAY-hem)
A. a kludge
B. majestic music
C. fire, followed by flooding
D. random or deliberate violence or damage
Note: Kludge has the “clue” sound; it rhymes with Baton Rouge.
3. inevitableness (in-EV-it-tuh-bul-niss)
A. randomness, recklessness
B. the state or condition in which something is impossible to avoid or prevent, a certainty of happening
C. obsequiousness
D. a frenzied esurience (ee-SIR-ee-ints)
4. eschatology (es-kuh-TOL-uh-gee)
A. the study of evil
B. the branch of theology dealing with end time events
C. the study of preaching
D. the study of effective New Testament study
Although the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the scriptures, the concept of a rapture is there. 1 is C.
No. 2, mayhem, is D. During the tribulation, the world will be in mayhem.
No. 3, inevitableness, is B. In First Thessalonians 5:3, Paul used the analogy Jesus used in the Olivet Discourse to portray the inevitability, suddenness, inescapable nature and painfulness of the Day of the Lord.
No. 4, eschatology, is B. Eschatology is the study of last things.
Editor's Note: Dr. Don Rodney Vaughan is the pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church near Eupora and is on the faculty of East Mississippi Community College, Golden Triangle Campus. Contact him at dvaughan @ eastms.edu.
