1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 – Bible Study & Exploration
(Verses 1-3) Paul opens the last chapter of his first letter to the Thessalonians speaking about a very specific time period. The period is known as “the day of the Lord.”
This phrase is used quite often in the Old Testament and is closely associated with the phrases, “that day” and “in those days.” All referring to the end of days as we know them. The time when Christ will fulfill the prophecy of His return just as He described to His disciples and the people of His day.
Some scholars believe that this phrase points to a specific day in the last days. Other scholars take the position that it signifies a specific time period in the last days. More specifically, a time when God will begin to directly and indirectly intervene in our world in a way that will bring about all the judgments against sin and those who’ve rejected Christ. It will include the return of Christ, the judgment Christ will place all nations. They will be on trial for what they did to God’s inheritance, His people Israel. It will also include the 1000 year reign of Christ from Jerusalem.
Both positions agree on one thing. “The day of the Lord” points to the end of our present age (last days) which will begin with the seven year Tribulation given to Daniel by God in Daniel 9:27, Daniel 12:1-3. Jesus also spoke of these “end times” when He taught from the Mount of Olives delivering His Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24:1-31.
Joel also speaks the words of God in the following passage about “the day of the Lord.”
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.
Joel 2:28-32
When Will the Day of the Lord Arrive?
Paul clearly mentions “the day of the Lord” will come like “a thief in the night.” Let’s look at this phrase more closely so we too will know very well what it means. God’s word perfectly speaks of the meaning of this phrase throughout the Bible. Let’s take a look at a few.
It means that the wrath that is to come in the last days will come upon mankind suddenly without their expecting it to come. They will be oblivious to all the signs, as we see them growing in frequency today. They will miss and ignore the signs being given to us almost on a daily basis. Thus when it arrives it’ll come upon them like a flood.
In fact, Jesus begins by making it clear that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:36
Then Jesus goes on to describe how the unsuspecting believers will be going about their daily lives just as the signs are revealing themselves before their eyes, but they will not take notice.
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:37-39
Jesus continues His Olivet Discourse with the beautiful teaching of the “Parable of the Ten Virgins” (Matthew 25:1-13). He points out those five wise virgins who know the signs of the coming event and watch, wait and are prepared for it to arrive. He compares them to the five unwise virgins who dismiss the signs and continue in their own selfish pursuits until the time arrives and it’s too late.
A perfect lesson for all of us as we journey through the current time of the signs.
The Meaning Behind the Labor Pains
In verse 3, Paul describes the end of the age and the coming of God’s judgment on the world using the analogy of labor pains.
To understand this clearly, we have to go back to the origin of “labor pains.” To do this, let’s go all the way back to Genesis 3:16.
“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children.”
We see in this Bible verse the pain that came to be associated with child bearing was a result of a curse due to original sin. It’s original sin that resulted from a direct disobedience to God. The consequences of this sin became a curse upon women that she might bear children painfully. This was one of many curses put upon creation because of original sin.
On the Tuesday of the week that Christ would be crucified, He sat with His disciples and many others that came to hear Him speak on the Mt. Of Olives and delivered His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25).
He began to describe what events would occur during the time leading up to the wrath of God (Tribulation Period), His return and the end of the age as we know it today. Christ explained that there would be wars and rumors of wars. Nation would rise against nation. Their would be great earthquakes, pestilence and famine across the land. He went on to say mankind would see fearful events and great signs from heaven. All of these things will be the beginning of labor pains (birth pains).
How do these Events Relate to Labor Pains.
When a woman first experiences labor pains, this signals the beginning of the birthing process that will soon take place. Once this occurs, birth is near and there’s no turning back. In fact, typically when labor pains begin, they gradually increase in strength and frequency.
This is what Christ taught His disciples and what Paul was attempting to teach the Thessalonians in his letter. Once the world begins to see these things occur, the beginning of the end is near for the coming wrath (Tribulation Period) and Christ’s return.
Just like labor pains, the end of the age events that Christ spoke of on the Mt. of Olives will increase in frequency and intensity.
In light of much of prophecy which has been perfectly fulfilled about Israel and its people, the global events we see today are exactly what Christ spoke of as He stood teaching on the Mt. Of Olives.
As governments and leaders from across the globe are perplexed by the signs and wonders that are coming from the heavens, we must be watchful of all things occurring around us. The birth pains have begun as perfectly prophesied. Along with that, all other prophecy is wonderfully coming to fulfillment before our very eyes.
Because of all this, the believers of today are seeing more prophetic words of God come to fruition than any other generation in of our time.
Believe in God and not in the words of men!