The Last Day Andy Nagahara
A. People in the early church believed that the last day would come during their lifetime (4:13-18)
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
B. Living in the present without worrying (5:1-11)
1) There is no need to know when the end will come (1-3)
1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
2) Walking as children of the light (4-11)
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Summary
The Bible is very clear in teaching that this world has a beginning and an end. We do not, however, need to know exactly when that will be because the Bible assures us that if we are walking with Jesus, we don't need to worry about what is to come. It is a waste of time to try and figure out exactly when and how the last day will come or what heaven will be like. For the things we do not know, we just need to trust God. In the meantime, there are more important things for us to do. We should focus on sharing the good news and living in such a way that we do not have regrets on the last day, whether it comes tomorrow or many generations into the future.
For Discussion
1) Why is it unnecessary to know when the last day will be?
2) How should we live each day, not knowing when the end will come?