1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Prophecy

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. [1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NASB]

The Spirit is quenched when we despise prophetic utterances. Sadly, much of the church chooses to quench the Spirit of God because prophecy doesn't fit in with their doctrine, or because they are afraid it would be disruptive if people are allowed to prophesy, or they simply don't know what to do with it.

Some denominations teach that the spiritual gifts such as prophecy have been done away with, but there is no scriptural reference that says so. They most often quote Paul saying;

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. [1 Corinthians 13:8-12 NASB]

He says gifts of prophecy will be done away. But when? He doesn't say, "When I die," or "When the last apostle dies." He says, "when the perfect comes." I look around me and see that the world is not yet perfect. He compares the gifts of the Spirit to childish things that you put away when you grow up. We will no longer need gifts of the Spirit when we are seeing the Lord face to face. It will be perfect when we see His face.

Prophecy is an important gift of the Spirit. Don't think of prophecy as predicting the future; that is only a very small part of prophecy. Through the gift of prophecy, the church can receive direction in times of uncertainty, or comfort and encouragement in times of trial. When the church is doing well, prophecy can bring confirmation and encouragement to continue on the right path.

This doesn't mean that every so-called prophecy should be taken at face value. Rather, they should be judged. A prophecy from God will never contradict the scriptures, and it will never contradict the character of God. Prophecies are not self-serving; they are for the church, and will direct praise toward God, and not the prophet. Prophecy does not replace scripture, nor does it add to scripture.

When a prophecy is judged, then you should hold onto the good, and discard the bad. Not every person who has uttered a false prophecy is evil. Sometimes, there are well-intentioned and over-eager young Christians who haven't yet learned to fully walk in the Spirit. They should be taught and nurtured, not shunned. 

On the other hand, there are wolves in sheep's clothing whose intention is to sow discord and confusion. And false prophecy is a favorite tool. If they cannot be taught, they should be shunned and avoided because they are false prophets.

Church leaders - I urge you to encourage prophecy. The member who sits quietly, and doesn't speak, may have prophetic word from God. But he may never speak it if he is afraid of your reaction.

Church members - don't despise prophetic words, but test them. If you think you have a prophetic word, test it yourself before you speak. Don't be disruptive or contentious. You have the choice to speak or not, and you have the choice of when and how to speak. As Paul said;

and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. [1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NASB]

Prophecy shouldn't be despised because it comes from a common church member. Nor should it be accepted without question if it comes from a minister. All prophecy should be judged equally against the word of God.

Thank You, Father, that Your gifts are still operating in the world. I pray for discernment to know true prophecy, and separate it from the false. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB]

Paul is telling us to be joyful at all times. Everybody rejoices when he gets a raise at work. The Christian rejoices when his salary is cut. Everybody rejoices at the birth of a baby. The Christian rejoices at the death of a loved one. Everybody rejoices when they are healthy and strong. The Christian rejoices in the midst of a pandemic.

It doesn't make sense, unless you know why we rejoice. The Christian's joy doesn't come from circumstances. Our joy comes from the Lord. We rejoice in Him, in every circumstance. While the world frets and stresses about the CoViD-19 pandemic, we can rejoice, viewing it as a trial of our faith. James said;

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [James 1:2-4 NASB]

You can remember to rejoice in the Lord at all times if you are praying to the Lord at all times. Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing". The Greek means to pray without intermission. In other words, there is no gap between "sessions" of prayer. There are no sessions. There is only constant, unceasing, prayer.

Of course you can't close your eyes, bow your head, and kneel in prayer all day, every day. But these things are only customs of prayer, not the prayer itself. There is great value in spending time alone in prayer with God. Jesus often went off to be alone in prayer. But, that is not the only kind of prayer there is. 

You can pray out loud. It can be faith-building to hear your own voice praying to God. You can also pray silently, in your mind. The Holy Spirit lives inside you, and He knows your heart and your mind, and He knows when you are praying with your mind. If you are quiet and listen, he will also speak into your mind. At its best, prayer is a conversation with God.

It is possible to pray all day, every day, without ceasing. It doesn't take an act of supreme effort, but is simply turning your mind to God. 

I think all of us have some kind on internal monologue. We are reviewing our day, or anticipating the day to come, thinking about the things we need or want, thinking about people we know and either like or dislike. And so on. We can discipline our minds so that the internal monologue becomes an internal dialogue with God. In Romans we are told;

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2 NASB]

Constant prayer, with constant joy leads to a heart of gratitude. Some people read this verse and interpret it to mean that we are to give thanks in everything, but not for everything. By doing so, they are short-sheeting God. Paul said;

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; [Ephesians 5:20 NASB]

The grateful Christian is grateful for all things, even if it seems evil to us, we know that God is using it for our good. We are told;

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28 NASB]

God is not the author of pain and suffering. Jesus said;

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10 NASB]

Although He doesn't cause suffering, He uses it to help us grow, and perfect our faith. He takes what the enemy meant for evil, and He turns if for good. Therefore we give thanks, not only in everything, but also for everything.

Paul says that this is God's will. By "this" he means these three things; rejoice, pray, and give thanks. And do all three of these things, always.

If you can master these three things, then you can live a perfect Christian life.

My Lord God, I rejoice in You. I thank you that You have given me reason to rejoice always. Thank You that you work all things for my good. I pray for the grace to maintain the conversation of prayer at all times, without ceasing. 

1 Thessalonians 5:15 Forgiveness

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. [1 Thessalonians 5:15 NASB]

As part of the Lord's prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." [Matthew 6:12 NASB]

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian experience. None of us - not one - would be a Christian if God hadn't forgiven our sins. Our appropriate response to this is to forgive others.

Jesus told the parable of a servant who owed 15 years wages to his master. His master forgave the debt. the servant then went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a single day's wages. When the fellow servant couldn't repay him, he had him thrown in jail. Jesus concluded the parable, saying;

“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” [Matthew 18:32-35 NASB]

 Paul, quoting Proverbs 25 appeals to our baser nature by saying;

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:17-21 NASB]

Don't be content to simply refrain from getting vengeance when you feel wronged. Instead, actively do good to the wrongdoer. 

Paul says that we should do good for all people. This means we don't just do good for our friends, or the people in the church, or even the Christian community at large. He means everyone.

The Pharisees in Jesus' time took the command to love their neighbors, and twisted it. They interpreted it to mean that they should hate their enemies. Who were their enemies? Primarily, all Gentiles, and ultimately, anyone who disagreed with them. But Jesus said;

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [Matthew 5:43-45 NASB]

By doing good to those who oppose you, you may win them over. But, whether you do or not is irrelevant. The important thing is that you are obeying the Spirit of God by forgiving them from your heart, and demonstrating that forgiveness by acts of kindness.

Lord, please give me the same mind that was in Jesus who did not seek vengeance on His persecutors, but died for their sins, as well as mine. 

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Bear One Another's Burdens

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. [1 Thessalonians 5:14 NASB]

Paul is passing on some teaching to the church. He says to admonish the unruly. That is, we are to warn, or reprimand those who don't hold with sound teaching, or who are giving in to the desires of the flesh. He says;

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6 NASB]

He reiterate this command to the Corinthian church;

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. [1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NASB]

If we see a fellow Christian who is living in a manner inconsistent with the Spirit of God, then we are to warn or reprimand him. If he refuses to listen, but continues in an ungodly lifestyle, then we are to disassociate ourselves from him. This is a form of discipline that will, hopefully, draw him back to Christ. It is also for our own benefit, so that we will not be drawn into ungodly practices with him.

We are to encourage the fainthearted. The proverb says;

The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? [Proverbs 18:14 NASB]

It is true that God heals a broken spirit. But it is also true that He often uses us to effect that healing. He has given us the tools. We have the Spirit of God living in us, who gives us wisdom and knowledge to minister to those in need. We have the word of God;

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12 NASB]

We are to help the weak. Don't view the weak with disdain. The one who is weak today may be the strong one who is helping you tomorrow. We are given this account of Moses;

So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [Exodus 17:9-13 NASB]

Moses wasn't a weak man, but in that moment, he was too weak for the task. But with the support of others, he had the strength that he needed to prevail.

We are to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others.

These instructions are written to everybody in the church, not just the leaders. If we maintain the concept of a professional clergy who looks out for all the needs of the saints, then we remove ourselves from all of the responsibility, and the privilege, of ministering to one another. Galatians 6:2 says that we are to bear one another's burdens. This is the calling of every believer in Christ.

Lord, Thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that You will open my eyes to see their needs, and grant me the means to meet those needs. 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Appreciate Your Leaders

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. [1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NASB]

God wants us to appreciate our spiritual leaders. We are to hold them in high regard, not because they have a title such as "Reverend" or "Pastor", but because of what they do.

Paul says that we should appreciate those who diligently labor among us. Many think of the pastor as working a couple hours a week on Sunday morning, and spending the rest of the week playing golf or sitting is cozy office with his feet on the desk. 

There may be some lazy people who wear the title of the clergy, and who do as little work as possible, but I have never met one. The true shepherd of the flock is a hard worker. It is not a light thing to study and know the word of God, and to teach and direct his people each week. And that is only the public aspect of his labors. He comforts those who are bereaved, counsels those who are lost, he racks up the miles on his car visiting those who are shut in. He oversees the various ministries and outreaches in the church, leading the leaders. On top of that, many pastors work a second job to support themselves so that they can do the work of the ministry.

Your church leaders have charge over you in the Lord. Please understand that this doesn't give them the right to dominate you. A leader in Christ doesn't issue commands like a drill sergeant leading his troops. Rather, he gently leads them like a shepherd guiding his flock.

Jesus refers to himself as "the good shepherd". Leaders in Christ are to follow Jesus in example. Jesus says;

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. [John 10:11-13 NASB]

A good leader gives instruction. Again, these are not orders in the line of "Thou shalt" or "Thou shalt not". A leader teaches people how to live a holy life. He uses his words to teach, patiently explaining the ways of the Spirit vs. the ways of the flesh. And he uses his own life, a living example of how to live the holy life, walking in the Spirit, and putting to death the deeds of the flesh.

Our leaders are to be esteemed. Not out of obligation nor out of fear, but out of love because of the work they do.

I have known a few pastors in my life. The hardest part of their job, and the reason many give up and leave the ministry is because of disrespectful parishioners. It seems some people think it is their calling to keep the pastor humble. They oppose him whenever they can, and if they are on a church board, they threaten his livelihood if he doesn't agree or give in to them, and preach "their" gospel. And don't dare preach the truth if it opposes what the board already "knows".

If a minister is abusing his position for ungodly purposes, then, of course, the situation must be dealt with and corrected. But what often happens is a godly pastor is opposed by reason of politics and power. Pharisees in the church are more concerned with their tradition than they are the truth of the Bible. Be sure that if you are one who stands in the way of God's ministers on earth, then you will one day have to stand before Jesus and give an accounting.

Don't be like that. Respect your leaders for the work that they do.

Father, I thank You that you have established order in Your church. Thank You that You have given us leaders and teachers. I pray for the pastors and leaders of my church that You will direct them, and guard over them. I pray that I may be a blessing to them. 

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 Sons of Light

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 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 a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. [1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 NASB]

This is continuing the thought from the previous verses. The day of the Lord will come upon the world suddenly and without warning because they are living in darkness. We, however, do not live in darkness, so that day will not come upon us unexpectedly.

It is true that we will not know the day that Jesus will return for His church. But, if we understand the prophecies, we will be able to see the time growing closer. A lot of people like to inject current events into the end-time prophecies, and claim to have the inner track on their meaning. But Jesus said;

“See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." [Matthew 24:4-8 NASB]

All of the events in the world today are not the end times. Just as it has been for the last 2000 years, this is the time before the end times.

In that day, there will be unmistakable signs. The Abomination of Desolation in the Holy Place must happen first. There will be signs in the heavens. Jesus said;

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. [Matthew 24:29-31 NASB]

The description that Jesus gave closely matches the description in Revelation;

I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” [Revelation 6:12-17 NASB]

After these events in Revelation, the wrath of God will be poured out on the inhabitants of the earth, and the earth's population will be decimated.

We, however, are not destined for wrath, but for salvation. This applies, of course, to our eternal salvation. But, within the context of end time prophecy, it also means that we, the believers in Christ, will not be on the earth to endure that wrath. Whether we die in Him, or are taken up to meet Him, will be with our Lord.

Paul said that we should comfort one another with these words. 

Don't neglect the teaching of end-time prophecy. Don't simply believe everything someone tells you about the end times; when it comes to prophecy, people can get pretty weird. 

Be open to learning from others, but also study it out for yourself to see if the teaching is truly scriptural. Don't be afraid to change your mind when you learn more about prophecy. I was taught a certain tradition as a young Christian, and thought that way for many years, until I became convinced that the Bible was teaching something different.

If you don't understand something, don't worry about it. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Continue to study, and add to your knowledge a little at a time.

Father, I thank you for Your promise that if I ask for wisdom, You will give it. Thank You for Your Spirit will teach me all things. I pray that You will open the eyes of my understanding to fully comprehend Your word.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 The Day of the Lord

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves 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 labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. [1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NASB]

Paul only spent a short time with the Thessalonians, but in the three weeks he was with them, he apparently went into some detail about the end-time prophecies. This tells me that it is an important topic, and should not be ignored. This disputes those preachers who consider the subject to be unimportant, or, because they don't understand the prophecies, they ignore them.

Biblical prophecy is often not completely understood until it has been fulfilled. There were a great many prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. His birth, His life, His death and resurrection were all foretold. But even Jesus' disciples didn't understand them until after Jesus' resurrection.

When it comes to end-time prophecies, there are things that we can understand now, and there are other things that will not fully understand until He has come again. But we should understand as much as we can.

Paul reminds them, because he already told them, that the Lord's coming would be like a thief in the night. After Jesus' resurrection, His disciples came to Him;

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; [Acts 1:6-7 NASB]

He had previously told His disciples;

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. [Matthew 24:36 NASB]

Since we can't know the day of Jesus' return, we must remain vigilant, and not give in to the ways of the world, because we consider Him to be slow in keeping His promise.

Every few years, some "prophet" will claim to have figured out a Bible code, or has unlocked prophecies, or has received a "revelation" that the Lord will return on a certain day. Invariably, he gathers a number of followers who foolishly sell all that they have, and give it to their "prophet", then go sit on a mountain top to wait for the Lord's return. Of course, they are always disappointed, because no one knows the day or hour.

That does not mean that we cannot discern the signs of the times, and understand prophecies.

People will be saying, "'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come." Daniel prophesies of the Antichrist;

“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” [Daniel 9:27 NASB]

He will broker a peace treaty between Israel and all of her enemies. It will be a time of unprecedented peace in the middle east. Then, after 3 1/2 years, he will break the treaty, and proclaim himself to be God, demanding to be worshiped. Jesus said,

“Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains....“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will." [Matthew 24:15-16,21 NASB]

After the tribulation, God will pour out His wrath on the earth. Jesus said;

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [Matthew 24:29 NASB]

We need to be prepared for the Lord's return. Don't be like the foolish servant who began drinking and carousing because his master delayed his return. 

We may live to see the Lord's return. Or, we may die before He returns. Either way, we need to be ready. Don't think the Lord is being slow. He is not slow, He is patient, wanting every soul to have the opportunity to be saved.

Lord, I thank You that You are coming back for me. I pray that you will keep me in Your hands, and deliver me from the wrath to come.