Second Coming · Day of the Lord; children of light

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Paul · ~50 AD · Status: Future · Confidence: 60%
“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.”
King James Version · the opening — all 11 verses are below

Paul teaches that the Day of the Lord comes unexpectedly like a thief, but believers, as children of light, are to watch and be sober.

Read the whole passage — all 11 verses (KJV)

5:1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

5:2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

5:3For 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.

5:4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5:5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

5:6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

5:7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

5:8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

5:9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

5:11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Fulfillment References

2 Peter 3:10 Matthew 24:43 Revelation 16:15 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

How Traditions Read This Prophecy

Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalApostolics, as Spirit-filled children of light (Acts 2:38), watch soberly for the sudden Day of the one Lord Jesus.
JewishThe 'Day of the LORD' (Yom YHWH) is a major prophetic theme of judgment and salvation; Judaism awaits its decisive arrival.
CatholicThe unknown timing calls for perseverance and readiness; no date can be set for the Lord's Day.
ProtestantA keynote for watchful, sober Christian living in light of Christ's sudden return.
OrthodoxSobriety (nepsis) and watchfulness mark the children of light awaiting the Lord's Day.
DispensationalBelievers are 'not appointed to wrath' (v.9), often cited for the Church's exemption from the tribulation.
AcademicScholars note Paul reworking dominical 'thief' tradition (cf. Matt. 24:43) for the Thessalonian community.
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