“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1.

The pandemic has clearly placed our thoughts on the end times. There is one thing certain, absolutely no man knows the time or hour of the Lord’s return. the apostle Paul shared this truth with the saints in Thessalonica; “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2.

 I surmise that his intent was to point them to their actions, thoughts and secure hope in Jesus Christ our Lord, the end of this world is non-negotiable… it is coming; and we must hold to the faithful promise to come, a new heaven and new earth where we will forever be present with the Lord.

Our focus should not be on when the end will come, but instead on how to live faithful and committed lives in service while we are here. The Word of God gives us encouragement and peace in knowing that God has through divine appointment settled our status here on earth and in heaven. We are saved because of the redeeming blood of Jesus. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

My friends we have been chosen by God to obtain eternal life….it is not by our own meritorious acts, by His amazing grace! That should make somebody shout this morning…there is a great enemy of our souls that old serpent the devil and his demonic forces who seek to destroy us; but God has better things plan for His beloved children, and yes, Satan knows that his eternal demise is certain, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10.

1 Peter 5:8 gives us instructions considering our present spiritual warfare “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan’s desire is to keep us spiritually drunk oppose to being sober-minded; a state of spiritual drunkenness means to be caught up in the cares of this world and not concerned about the spiritual world to come. He understands if our sights are set on Christ, it will change how we live now, seeking to faithfully love God and our fellowman.

Let us not worry about when the end will come, but how to walk pleasing in the sight of God every waking moment, being a light in this dark world…and when He comes as the thief, when you are least expecting Him, we will be ready, like the five wise virgins “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.” Matthew 25:16.

Christ died for us, that, living and dying, we might be His; that we might live to Him while we are here, and live with Him in eternity. To God be the GLORY! So, the question that should resonate in our hearts and minds is not when the Lord will come, but as found in 2 Peter 3:11 “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”

God blessings and love be with you all.