Thessalonians #4
Edification & Correction
4:13 - 5:11
Teaching concerning the
Day of the Lord
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord, 4:13 - 5:12
 Like all the previous ones, this part of
the Letter can be easily divided into
Sections:
Section #1- Those Who are Asleep
vs. Those Who are Alive &
Remain, 4:13-18
Section #2- The Coming of the Day of
the Lord, 5:1-11
 These were evidently issues over which
there were questions/misapplications.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord, 4:13 - 5:12
 Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
There are a couple of things which must be
understood:
1. This is not a discussion saved vs.
unsaved.
2. The unsaved are not a part of this
discussion, cf. 2Thess.1:7-8.
3. It is regarding the Saved who are
Dead vs. the Saved who are Alive
at the Day of the Lord.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord, 4:13 - 5:12
 Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
The Text:
v.13a Paul’s purpose was to inform….
v.13b regarding those “asleep” (dead
physically but alive spiritually).
v.13c These are very different from those
dead physically and spiritually!
cf. 5:6 > Eph.2:3 > Eph.2:12.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
The Text:
v.14 Those who believe in Jesus’
resurrection share that expectation for
themselves, cp. v.13c.
v.15 There seems to have been a concern
that those faithful who had/would die
before the Day of the Lord would be
hindered in some way or perhaps even
not allowed to enter heaven.
Thus he says they will not be preceded.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
The Text:
The Particulars of that Day, v.16:
>a shout,
>the voice of the archangel,
>and the trumpet (call) of God.
This is very much in contrast to the “secret
and silent catching away” of modern-day
Rapture theorists!
>The Dead in Christ shall rise first- as
opposed to the Alive in Christ.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
The Text:
The Particulars of that Day, v.17:
>Then those Alive and Remaining (in Christ)
will be “caught up” together with those
resurrected.
>Both will meet Christ “in the air”.
>And “always be with the Lord.”
This passage likewise contradicts the popular
notion of Christ’s return to earth for a 1000
year reign here! (w/ or w/o the saints)
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #1- Those Who are Asleep vs.
Those Who are Alive & Remain, 4:13-18
The Text:
The Purpose of these words, v.18:
>These words were meant to educate,
cf.v.13….
>And comfort (regarding departed brethren).
And now, time for a different and obviously
related aspect of the same topic of the Day
of the Lord-
When?
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #2- The Time & Manner of the
Day of the Lord, 5:1-11
The Text:
v.1- They had “no need” of any further instruction.
Why?
They knew “full well” that the Day of the Lord
would be:
-v.2 It will be “like a thief in the night”
-v.3a while men say “peace and safety”
-v.3b like “birth pangs”- suddenly; in due
season but w/o warning
-v.3c and “they” shall not escape!
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #2- The Time & Manner of the
Day of the Lord, 5:1-11
The Text:
v.4- But the Thessalonian brethren knew better
than to be caught unaware- they were not
“in darkness” about such things.
v.5 For they were “sons of light and sons of day”.
v.6 So then, they were to be “alert and sober”.
v.7 Not drunk or asleep.
v.8 Their spiritual armor helped to make them
vigilant soldiers for the Lord rather than
sleeping drunks.
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Section #2- The Time & Manner of the
Day of the Lord, 5:1-11
The Text:
“For….”
v.9 God’s destiny for the elect is not wrath, but
salvation through Jesus!
v.10 And He made the all the necessary
provisions for that salvation so that
whether awake (alive in Christ) or asleep
(dead in Christ) those in Him will have that
salvation!
Therefore,
v.11 Encourage and Build Up one another!
Thessalonians #4
The Day of the Lord
Conclusions:
 There were apparently some
misunderstandings regarding the Day of
the Lord Paul was attempting to correct
for the Thessalonians (in chps 4-5).
 Much can be learned positively and
negatively about that time from this
section of scripture. But,
 The main point is:
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE FAITHFUL!
5:10