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Have you ever heard the Emergency Warning System that broadcasts over the radio from time to time, testing to make sure it works properly? I know it can be annoying but isn’t it an important system to have in place?
What about the reverse 911 system we have in this county now, have you heard of it? It is designed to call lists of numbers by computer to warn people of impending disasters heading their way. If the dam were to break, a forest fire break out or an earthquake happen causing great destruction this system is supposed to warn people so they can get to safety.
If you have seen any of the pictures of the destruction in Colorado from the flooding you could see how a system like this would be very helpful, but it is only as good as those, who are warned, are prepared for such an event.
If those who are warned are not ready to go with the things they need the disaster will overtake them and they will become victims of it instead of survivors.
Paul has just finished giving the believers in Thessalonica good news about what will happen when Jesus returns in the clouds to take all believers to be with Him physically in heaven. Their fears were put to rest because they now understood what would happen at the rapture. But one can imagine that when Paul was teaching this if some were thinking about when this would happen, then what about what is going to happen to those who were not believers.
Vs 1-3 So Paul reminds them that he had already taught them about this and that they should remember what the Lord said about it. Matt. 24:36-44 Those who are left behind will go on with life unaware of what is coming upon them. Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour. This is what Paul had taught the new believers, this would happen suddenly, like when a woman goes into labor, unexpected catching everyone off guard.
Notice Paul does not include the believers in this statement, he says ‘they’ not ‘we’ as he does when he speaks of believers. There will be sudden destruction coming upon those left behind with no early warning system to prepare them for it.
They will be expecting peace and safety when they will receive destruction. It will be a time when they think the unrest in the Middle East is finally settled and the world can rest from all the troubles there. Dan. 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” 2 Thess. 2:1-12
God’s wrath which has been building over time toward man’s sin will be poured out on all these who are unsuspecting. The signs will be there, noticeable, but ignored till the outbreak. When it comes no one will be able to escape. Rev. 6: 12-17
Vs 4 But, Paul says the believers should not be caught unaware. God has given us an early warning system, His Word, to let us know what will happen and what to look for leading up to the Rapture. We should not be caught off guard. What did people do in ancient times to have an early warning system? They had guards posted at strategic points to act as the early warning system, crying out if something went wrong or if danger was approaching. God has given us His Word so we can also be an early warning system.
Col. 1:13–14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Vs 5-6 God has delivered us from darkness into the Kingdom of His Son, Jesus. Because He has done this for us we have been warned of what to beware of and watch for. We are not like those who are lost in the darkness of the kingdom of the world under its head, the devil. How many of you know what a 72 hour kit is? How many have one ready? If you had the knowledge of the need for a 72 hour kit and didn’t put one together and there was a disaster, what would you say about yourself? “That was irresponsible of me.” Because we know what is coming we should not act like those who are asleep, blissfully ignorant, of what is coming. We should not be complacent about what is coming. Instead we should be watchful, looking for the Lord’s return and living like we are ready for it at any moment. Titus 2:11–13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3:10-16 We need to live lives that will be honoring to Christ when He comes. Acts 18:6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility.
What happens to our skills when we have had alcohol to drink in excess? Should one drive in such a condition? Vs 7 Unbelievers are unaware of what is coming because something else is in control of them. The devil has lulled them into a complacent sleep, numbness, to spiritual things. 2 Thess. 2:11-12 They are driving drunk through their lives to their own destruction. What happens to the watchman if he is asleep at his post and lets disaster come upon those he is guarding? Ezek. 33:6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ Vs 8 Because we belong to the Lord we should be prepared, just as the watchman is when on guard duty. He is dressed ready for battle. We should also be armed and ready for the spiritual battle with the world as well. We need to be armed with self control so not to be lulled into complacency. We should be putting on our covering to protect our vital areas, our hearts and minds. The faith we have in God will protect our hearts and our love for others will help protect them as well. Faith in God protects inwardly while the love we have for others protects outwardly. 3:12-13. The attitudes of faith and love will equip us so we will be ready when the rapture comes. Add to this the hope of our salvation, the helmet on our heads protecting our minds from attacks on our thinking. The salvation we look forward to is deliverance from the wrath that will come upon the earth like a thief. Because we follow Christ we are sure of the hope we have and not like those who live in hopelessness, blind drunk to the dangers that await them.
Vs 9 God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, the wrath of the Tribulation period. He has saved us from it through Jesus shed blood on the cross. When He returns we will be gathered to Him and taken out of the world where God’s wrath will be poured out.
Vs 10 So no matter if we die before the rapture or live to experience the return of Christ for us, we will be with the Lord for all eternity. He died on the cross to secure that place for us. 2 Cor. 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Vs 11 What should be the response of every believer who has be forewarned about the inevitable? How should we respond? Matt. 24:45-51
We need to make sure we are diligent to be prepared ourselves and helping others to be prepared as well. We are early warning systems for each other. Every time we get together we need to remind each other of these things. Heb. 10:24–25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Being reminded will help us be diligent to live in the way we should, as sons of the light, honoring God with our lives, living in love, self control and self disciplined so not to be dragged off into worldly ways.
God has called us to be alert and awake to the dangers of the world and its ways. To be early warning systems to each other and the lost so we might keep each other safe and rescue some of them.
Benediction: Rom. 12:1–2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
