1 Thessalonians 5
This chapter begins with a description of Jesus’ Second Coming and the Day of the Lord, an event that occurs after the Rapture. The Day will come as a thief in the night, but Paul writes to the church family, “But you are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
In verse 12, Paul writes various exhortations, like “rejoice in the Lord” and “pray without ceasing.” In verse 19 he exhorts the Thessalonians not to quench the Spirit, literally to extinguish, as to put out a fire. Verse 20 says, “Do not despise prophecies,” or messages from God.
He ends the letter by praying they would be whole in their spirit, soul, and body from “the God of peace Himself.” The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it describes the wholeness of salvation in every area of our lives. This Greek word “eirene” is similar. The peace, soundness or harmony, that comes from God brings salvation, healing, prosperity, safety – basically all we need is found in the Lord. Paul prays we be found blameless, purified, and set apart to God at Christ’s coming, His second coming and the Day of the Lord.
One last mention because I do cherish this verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” He will save you. He will fulfill prophecy. In general, God is faithful, and whatever He promised you, He will do.
Isaiah 62-64
Chapter 62 is a continuation of the coming restoration of Israel. Chapter 63 is prophetic of Christ’s redemption and God’s mercy and Israel’s repentance. Chapter 64:1-12 is Isaiah’s prayer for Israel’s redemption and punishment of the nations. Here are a couple of notable verses that share our need for salvation and that we cannot achieve righteousness on our own:
Isaiah 64:5 “… we need to be saved.”
Isaiah 64:6 “… our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” (soiled underclothes).
Paul quotes chapter 64 verse 4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9 to say that through the Spirit of God leading us to salvation, we can see what was accomplished in Christ.
In Isaiah 64:11, Isaiah prophecies the coming destruction of the temple during captivity in 587 BC, ten years after the first invasion. Since these verses have prophetic meaning about end times, this verse could have a dual meaning, prophesying the destruction of the temple in 70 AD by Rome.
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