I Thessalonians 5:11, 12

"Therefore you all comfort one another and build up each other, as you are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11)

These are meant to be words of encouragement and comfort as these believers faced persecution and trouble. We should comfort and build up each other.

"Now I ask you all, brothers, remember those laboring strenuously in the Lord, who superintend you in the Lord and who warn you." (I Thessalonians 5:12)

Paul's instruction in this and the following verses suggests that there was some minor conflict between leadership of the church and the members. This is not unusual. Paul described those leading the believers as laboring strenuously. The work of the ministry can be physically, emotionally and spiritually demanding. The leaders are not dictators but superintendents who are to help organize the body in doing the Lord's work. Also spiritual leadership requires warning people of the danger of sin.

I Thessalonians 5:8-10

"But we of the day being in control of ourselves, put on the breastplate of faith and sacrificial love, and the helmet of salvation's hope." (I Thessalonians 5:8)

Part of being in control of self spiritually is putting on God's armor. We are protected from spiritual attack by our trust in God and our love for others. We have a certain hope because God has saved us.

"Because God has not placed us under wrath, but under salvation's preservation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:9)

Because Jesus has saved us, we cannot experience the wrath of God.

"He was killed for us that if we watch or if we fall asleep together in him, we will live." (I Thessalonians 5:10)

Jesus died in our place. If we survive until his return, we will live. If we die in him, we will live.

I Thessalonians 5:6, 7

"Therefore let us not fall asleep like everyone else, but let us watch and be in control of ourselves." (I Thessalonians 5:6)

People sleep at night. The rest of the world is at sleep spiritually. They are unaware. Christians should be watching the unfolding of world events. We should be in control of ourselves and not under the influence of worldly desires.

"For the ones who fall asleep, fall asleep at night. The ones getting drunk, get drunk at night." (I Thessalonians 5:7)

Night is the time for sleep. It is also when people normally party and get drunk. Those who are spiritually are in darkness are sleeping spiritually and are controlled, are drunk, with sin.

I Thessalonians 5:3-5

"When they are saying, Peace and security, then unexpected ruin will fall on them, just like the birth pains of one having a child. And escape will be impossible." (I Thessalonians 5:3)

When the world thinks that war is at an end, and there is security then the end will come. They will be demolished and it will be impossible for those without Christ to escape.

"But you, brothers, are not in darkness that the day surprise you like a thief." (I Thessalonians 5:4)

Christians should not be surprised by the Day of the Lord. We know it is coming. And as it gets closer, the signs will become more and more clear to us.

"For in every way, you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." (I Thessalonians 5:5)

Paul contrasts those in the light with those in the dark. Christians are in the light; they have the revelation of God and the insight of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those without Christ are in darkness. They do not understand clearly the flow of history, nor do they expect what is coming.

I Thessalonians 5:1, 2

"Now concerning the times and the intervals, brothers, you do not need me to write." (I Thessalonians 5:1)

Paul had already taught them about the return of Jesus, the signs of his return and the danger of trying to fix a date when it would occur.

"For you all clearly remember that the Day of the Lord comes like a thief at night." (I Thessalonians 5:2)

The Day of the Lord is a Biblical expression for the last days. It includes the return of Christ, the Tribulation and the reign of Christ. Like a thief at night means without warning. A thief does not tell us when he is coming. It does not mean that it will be secret when it happens, just that it will be unexpected before it happens.

I Thessalonians 4:17,18

"Then we, who are alive and have survived, will be snatched away with them in clouds to a meeting with the Lord in the air." (I Thessalonians 4:17)

After the resurrection of the righteous dead, the living believers will be quickly snatched by the Lord to meet him in the air. The word for snatched is a violent word sometimes translated seized. It is a quick and sudden action.

"Therefore you all comfort one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:18)

Our hope in the resurrection softens our grief when a believer dies.