HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

1 Thessalonians 4.13-5.11

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

Our real and final destination is life everlasting with Jesus Christ—it’s a new heaven and new earth.

1 Thessalonians 4.13 (ESV) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Our goodbyes in Christ are more like “See you later.”

We grieve with hope. Why?

1 Thessalonians 4.14 (ESV) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Paul gives us this amazing preview of Christ’s return.

1 Thessalonians 4.16-18 (ESV) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Thessalonians had a big question people still ask today. . . “When?

When exactly is Jesus coming back?”

1 Thessalonians 5.1-3 (ESV) Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

We can’t predict the exact moment Jesus returns.

But we can be ready—because we belong to Him.

And whenever that day comes, it will be the best day of our lives.

Now, in this in-between time, how are we supposed to live?

1 Thessalonians 5.4-11 (ESV) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Today, if Paul were writing this letter, I think he might add something about screens.

1 Thessalonians 5.11 (ESV) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Paul says we should take with us on the journey. . .

1. Hope.

2. Encouragement.

3. Stay awake.

4. Don’t fret over the arrival time

5. Connect to your church family.

6. Practice Consistent, Ordinary Obedience.

And every mile, every tear, every step, every struggle will be worth it.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

1 Thessalonians 4.13-5.11

Gordon Dabbs, PhD

Our real and final destination is life everlasting with Jesus Christ—it’s a new heaven and new earth.

1 Thessalonians 4.13 (ESV) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Our goodbyes in Christ are more like “See you later.”

We grieve with hope. Why?

1 Thessalonians 4.14 (ESV) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Paul gives us this amazing preview of Christ’s return.

1 Thessalonians 4.16-18 (ESV) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Thessalonians had a big question people still ask today. . . “When?

When exactly is Jesus coming back?”

1 Thessalonians 5.1-3 (ESV) Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

We can’t predict the exact moment Jesus returns.

But we can be ready—because we belong to Him.

And whenever that day comes, it will be the best day of our lives.

Now, in this in-between time, how are we supposed to live?

1 Thessalonians 5.4-11 (ESV) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Today, if Paul were writing this letter, I think he might add something about screens.

1 Thessalonians 5.11 (ESV) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Paul says we should take with us on the journey. . .

1. Hope.

2. Encouragement.

3. Stay awake.

4. Don’t fret over the arrival time

5. Connect to your church family.

6. Practice Consistent, Ordinary Obedience.

And every mile, every tear, every step, every struggle will be worth it.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

READY AND WAITING

Luke 12.35–38

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

Sometimes, the best things in life are meant to surprise us.

What we do know is enough:

When He comes, the sky itself will open.

The King will appear.

And every eye will see Him.

The thousand-year reign of Jesus: three major camps:

• Premillennialism

• Postmillennialism

• Amillennialism

What is the Rapture? The idea comes from a couple of verses in Luke 17:

Luke 17.30-31, 34-35 (NLT) Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. . . That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

Over the arc of Christian history, believers have agreed on one big truth: Whatever the timeline, Jesus is coming back.

Rapture? No rapture? Pre? Post? A-Millennialism? Look, there’s no need to argue and divide over these questions because if you know Christ, you’re on the right side of His story — no matter what your chart looks like.

“We can be certain Jesus will return, but the order of events and happenings are less firm. I trust Jesus to work out all the details.” ~ Mary Wiley

When it comes to Scripture, here’s a good rule: Hold tightly to what’s clear.

Hold loosely to what’s not.

What IS clear from Scripture about the return of Jesus: 4 things...

1. It Will Be Personal

Acts 1.11 (ESV) Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

2. It Will Be Sudden

3. It Will Be High Visibility

4. It Will Be Glorious

Mark 8.38 (ESV) . . . The Son of Man . . . comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Until then, we are ready and waiting.

Luke 12.35–38 (NLT) Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!

Waiting — because faith means trusting the Chef, the Conductor, the Pilot, and the Planner.

We don’t know every detail of the recipe. But we know the One preparing the feast. And that’s enough.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

READY AND WAITING

Luke 12.35–38

Dr. Gordon Dabbs

Sometimes, the best things in life are meant to surprise us.

What we do know is enough:

When He comes, the sky itself will open.

The King will appear.

And every eye will see Him.

The thousand-year reign of Jesus: three major camps:

• Premillennialism

• Postmillennialism

• Amillennialism

What is the Rapture? The idea comes from a couple of verses in Luke 17:

Luke 17.30-31, 34-35 (NLT) Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. . . That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

Over the arc of Christian history, believers have agreed on one big truth: Whatever the timeline, Jesus is coming back.

Rapture? No rapture? Pre? Post? A-Millennialism? Look, there’s no need to argue and divide over these questions because if you know Christ, you’re on the right side of His story — no matter what your chart looks like.

“We can be certain Jesus will return, but the order of events and happenings are less firm. I trust Jesus to work out all the details.” ~ Mary Wiley

When it comes to Scripture, here’s a good rule: Hold tightly to what’s clear.

Hold loosely to what’s not.

What IS clear from Scripture about the return of Jesus: 4 things...

1. It Will Be Personal

Acts 1.11 (ESV) Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

2. It Will Be Sudden

3. It Will Be High Visibility

4. It Will Be Glorious

Mark 8.38 (ESV) . . . The Son of Man . . . comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Until then, we are ready and waiting.

Luke 12.35–38 (NLT) Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!

Waiting — because faith means trusting the Chef, the Conductor, the Pilot, and the Planner.

We don’t know every detail of the recipe. But we know the One preparing the feast. And that’s enough.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

The promise of Jesus' return has been a source of hope and anticipation for believers throughout history. But what does the Bible actually say about his second coming, and how should we live in light of this promise? In the "Coming Soon" message series by Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Scripture’s teachings on Christ’s return, examining what it means for our lives today and our hope for the future. We’ll tackle questions about signs of His coming, the urgency of sharing the gospel, and how to live with a heart prepared and focused on His Kingdom. Join us as we grow in faith, eager for the day when Jesus will come again to make all things new.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

DEEPER is a series designed for all ages to grow in God’s word! This cover-to-cover study of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is a weekly opportunity for the entire family to be encouraged, challenged, and edified.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise

The promise of Jesus' return has been a source of hope and anticipation for believers throughout history. But what does the Bible actually say about his second coming, and how should we live in light of this promise? In the "Coming Soon" message series by Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we’ll explore Scripture’s teachings on Christ’s return, examining what it means for our lives today and our hope for the future. We’ll tackle questions about signs of His coming, the urgency of sharing the gospel, and how to live with a heart prepared and focused on His Kingdom. Join us as we grow in faith, eager for the day when Jesus will come again to make all things new.

Subscribe to PRESTONCREST - with Gordon Dabbs on Soundwise