1 Thess. Chapter 5
1 Thess. 5
Taught by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
August 9, 2011
1 Thess. 5: 2-3: “For you your selves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you brethren are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light, and sons of day. We are neither of night nor of darkness.”
On Sunday morning we had a visit from a prophet who lives in San Antonio. He was in the city for the prayer meeting at Reliant Stadium. It was his first time at our church. He gave a word to Houston that we are under a visitation of the Lord. “This visitation will be only for a season”. He said, then the Lord will return again at a future date and if there are people in Houston who are seeking after the Lord with their whole heart, then the Lord will move by His Holy Spirit with a great visitation of His Glory on the City.
As ministers of the gospel, one of our focuses must be on preparing people for the Lord’s “Parousia” whether by visitation or His second coming. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Roger Teale gave a word at the Tent Revival that in September there will be an apocalyptic crisis in our national finances. Well, things are certainly being shaken.
Paul is telling us in his letter to the Thessalonians that we are to spend ourselves in getting ready for it. The world, however, will be relaxing in pleasure “as in the days of Noah.” They will scoff at the idea of Jesus’ coming. Last night I heard a man say that he had a wedding gown shop and his business was in great prosperity. Well that is scriptural. (Mt. 24:38) “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.”
We are to watch for it. We are not to be taken by surprise. We can behold spiritual things. We are to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. We should know the signs of the times. The unsaved living still in the blind sinful family of Satan cannot see the working of God in human affairs. The coming day will be a shock to them. Knowing about that day, Christians should be different.
5:23: “Now may the God of Peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dread Champions by: Bobby Conner – Eagles view Ministries, P. O. Box 933, Bullard, TX 75757
“The entire world is poised for swift radical change. It is imperative that the Church embraces and fully receives a bold anointing. This anointing will aid us in formulating preparations for influencing our culture. We are to be catalysts of extreme changes. We are to function as salt and light to a sin-darkened world.
The Spirit of God is calling forth dread champions; this is not a time for passive non-committed Christianity. We are called to become the bold, passionate, and powerful end-time army confronting compromise and raising the standard ever higher. The spirit of the Lord is releasing true confidence to stand strong.
We are in a time of swift advancement and acceleration. The spirit of god will set things in order, brining about divine purpose. There has come a “fullness-of-time” moment in the spirit realm. Heaven is declaring “no hesitation!” It is time for “advancement.” Heaven’s host stands ready to move, aiding all who seek to establish the King in His kingdom. Deeper insight about the throne of God and the God the throne will be revealed during this time period.
The spirit of the Lord is calling for the Lord’s army to arise, taking hold of the Kingdom with true spiritual power and force. Remember the Lord stated that forceful saints would take the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mt. 11:12: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”
It is not by might not by our human spirit, but only by the Spirit of the Lord. The Scripture declares it, then he said to me (Bobby Conner): “This is the word of the Lord saying, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts (Zech. 4:6).
Battles will increase; however, the victories will be overwhelming. The Body of Christ will begin to experience awesome breakthroughs in unity and restoration, resulting in displays of grace and power.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head.
Coming down upon the beard
Even Aaron’s beard
Coming down upon the edge of his robes
It is like the dew of Hermon.
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing---
Life forever. (Psalm 133:1-3 N.A.S.B
Never confuse our abilities with God’s anointing. We are mighty, not in our own strength, but in the Lord’s power and might. It is only by the power of God’s Spirit that we are enabled to overcome the schemes of the enemy. Truly we are called into the Kingdom of god for such a time as this.
These are exciting days of conquest and confrontation, building and battling. We stand at the very threshold of the greatest revival the world has ever seen. The foe is poised, doing all he can to stop this coming move of God. Now is the time to stand strong and straight, and be counted for righteousness sake.” (End of quote)
We have already “engaged” in this battle. The arising church is not coming forth passive, but militant. The gathering at Reliant Stadium should have been the shout heard around the world. Even if the “mouth of the beast” (media) refuses to admit it, the demons heard it and the angels heard it.
Paul employs a striking Hebraism, sons of light versus sons of darkness. Having been born again, we were lifted out of the night of this world, to become members of God’s family.
5: 6-8: “So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation.”
Dread Champions – chapter 1: “The Lord has issued an ultimate command. It is unmistakably clear. As followers of Christ we are to be bold, brave and extremely courageous.
Josh. 1:1-9 (Vs.9) “have I not commanded you be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Lord your God is with you wherever you go! This promise is repeated throughout Scripture and is the foundation of the promise in 1 John 4:4. “Greater is He (God) that is in you than he that is in the world.”
The conquest--the act of conquering—has commenced. This is neither warm-up nor scrimmage; this is the real thing. It is not time to hold back.” (End of Quote)
I know that not everyone is called to full time ministry. I am available to give my all to the Lord and His Kingdom. Those who have husbands, young children and jobs are not yet free and I don’t want to put any undue pressure on people to do or be anything but to love the Lord their God with all their heart and to love one another as themselves.
However, even if we have other responsibilities, we can live a separated life unto the Lord and be children of light and salt in the midst of this present darkness. Not everyone is called to be Spiritual Giants for every season of their life. All we have to do is just love Him, walk in His Light, be strong in the Lord and stand up for our faith under persecution and rejection.
With a spirit of excellence, we can give whatever we have of our time and money for the sake of advancing the cause of Jesus Christ.
“Not only has Almighty God called us to be brave and courageous, He is commissioning leadership for these important days. We need to be prepared for conquest that brings about a swift and sure change. God’s plan for His people is the plan of victory, not defeat (Jer. 29:11).” We are ALL CALLED and commissioned to be overcomers.
Deep within the Spirit of every Christian bears the heart of the overcomer. The word “overcomer” suggests winning after a hard struggle. We are to be strong, willing warriors.
Many are called, but few are chosen. For those who are being called and chosen, we are to become history makers and world changers. God has determined the exact time of our birth and of our death. He has determined the boundaries of where we will live.
These are decisive days of destiny.”
5: 9-10: “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.”
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Scripture from K.J.V.; Text quotes from C.S. Lovett’s Lights on 1 Thess. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those from whom I have gleaned.