Our Spiritual Wake-up Call
Paul wrote practical words on how the truth of the rapture should affect our lives in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–9.
“Peace and safety”
Today this is the great cry of humanity. We hear so much about a global family, and the only thing that is really lacking is a leader. The world is ripe for such a one that the Bible has much to say about: the Antichrist.
But while the world is saying “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3), we as believers have an unpopular message: “Judgment is coming!” How then should we, as believers, live?
“Be sober”
Some people say that Christians live with their heads in the clouds, that we are not realists. In fact, the opposite is true. The person who believes that we as one global family can live together in peace, and that humanity is basically good is not dealing with reality. Christianity is realistic about the problems and the solution.
“Let Us Not Sleep”
We must not be sleeping as so many are (1 Thessalonians 5:6–7), but we must be alert and ready.
“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).
“The night is nearly over, the day has almost dawned. Let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark! Let us arm ourselves for the fight of the day! Let us live cleanly, as in the daylight, not in the ‘delights’ of getting drunk or playing with sex, nor in quarreling or jealousy. Let us be Christ’s men from head to foot and give not chances to the flesh to have its fling!” (Romans 13:12–14 Phillips).
A spiritual alarm has sounded. In a sense, this is God’s wake-up call for the church. Keep in mind that these words are addressed to believers. We need to wake up from our spiritual lethargy, laziness, and apathy to meet the urgency of the hour. The time is late, and we must prepare for the soon coming of the Lord!
“We who are of the day”
Jesus said, “”I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world'” (John 9:4–5).
Our time is limited. We must do our work while we can. To the believers in the last days, Jesus said, “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” (Revelation 3:8).
But there might be some dead weight that is slowing us down or dulling our desire to go through that door. We must persevere! (See Revelation 3:10.)
It is time to prepare to meet your God. Are you ready? If not, make the necessary changes so that you can be counted among those who will love His appearing (see 2 Timothy 4:8).
