Peace and Safety to Sudden Destruction 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Paul knew the Thessalonians were aware of the “times and seasons”, and he reminded them that “the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” In chapter five and verse three of his letter, Paul warned the Thessalonian church members when people say, “Peace and safety”, then “sudden destruction” would come. We read:

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them,

as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

The verse begins, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety;” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and yet” “when” which means “whenever, as long as and as soon as” “they shall say” or “speak, affirm over, maintain, teach, exhort, advise, command, direct, point out with words, intend, mean, call by name and mention” “Peace” which means “a state of national tranquillity, harmony, concord, prosperity and felicity” “and safety” or “firmness, certainty, undoubted truth and security from enemies and dangers”. Paul brought attention to a time when people will be pronouncing “national tranquillity, harmony and prosperity” as well as “security from all enemies and dangers”.

The verse goes on to say, “then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;” Paul continued, “then sudden” or “unexpected and unforeseen” “destruction” which means “ruin, death and punishment” “comes upon” or “placed at, upon or over and is present with” “them” which refers to “those who pontificate peace and safety” “as travail” or “the pain of childbirth or birth pains” “upon a woman with child” which means “the belly, womb or stomach”. Paul likens the unexpected “ruin, death and punishment” to come upon people who are declaring “peace and safety” to the sudden pains which come upon a woman when she is about to deliver a baby.

Finally the verse says, “and they shall not escape.” Paul concludes this verse with “and they” which refers to “those who say peace and safety” “shall not escape” which means “flee out, away or seek safety in flight”. When“destruction” comes, people who have falsely declared “peace and safety” will be unable to flee the devastation that comes.

When we think through Paul's words, we should be mindful of the statements that are presented to us every day. When the declarations of “peace” and the messages of “safety” are made, we should pay particular attention. We live in a day of unexpected “destruction”, and “safety” and security are becoming less and less available. Our security must be in the Lord Jesus, and there is really no other safety other than He. Let us allow the Lord Jesus to remind us to put our trust and reliance in Him, and remember those who say “peace and safety” are only falling in line with Paul's prophecy that “destruction” is just a birth pain away.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonian church members the “day should overtake” them you “as a thief”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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