1-3 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. 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.
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* the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
In that day, everything they have worked so hard for on this present earth will be destroyed. It will be "stolen" from them in an instant. It will mean nothing then.
II Peter 3:10-14 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.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
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?
Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Keeping ourselves "in peace" is a big issue for us.
- freedom from disturbance
- being in quiet and tranquility
- mental calm
To do this we have to be diligent to pray over all things that trouble us, pouring our heart out to God until the matter is settled in us by God.
Watch and pray ... says Jesus. Watch, be aware of the possible trouble for you in being around a person or in doing various things and Pray over each item until you have a state of rest in God.
* For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
As never before in USA, homosexuals and lesbians have to be saying "peace and safety". Adulterers and fornicators also today have to be happy as society approves them and accepts them, making them feel comfortable. Drunkards are told today they have a disease and can't help being a drunkard so they can feel good about themselves.
But in all this the Bible tells us:
I Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
They are deceived about themselves and deceived by society of the day, but we who know God and the Bible are not deceived about them nor by them.
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I Thessalonians 5:4-11 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
(Watch: pay attention to yourself.)
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But 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.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (the Word), Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM
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Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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Here are many things for us to do and to learn to do, keeping this word before us day and night until it grows in our heart and rises up in us causing us to act upon it ... laying up this treasure of this word as treasure in heaven by letting it become a part of us.
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.
13 And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
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.
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23-28 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.
Faithful is HE that calleth you, who also will do it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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