CHAPTER 5
Verse 1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness,
This I say therefore,
and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the
understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through
the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness, Eph0417-19.
that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame, Rev1615.
5. Ye are all the children of light,
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2Co0406.
and the children of the day:
I (Jesus) must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world, Jhn0904,05.
Take heed, brethren,
lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing
from the living God. But exhort one another
daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of
Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto
the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had
heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by
Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with
them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And
to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but
to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter
in because of unbelief, Heb0312-19.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2Co0601,02.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, Rom1311-14.
we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch, Mrk1328-37.
and be sober.
7. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh
increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love, Eph0415,16.
12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him, Jhn0334.
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds, 2Jn0109-11.
13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth, Tit0109-14.
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, 1Pe0221-25.
16. Rejoice evermore.
Rejoice in the
Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things, Phl0404-08.
17. Pray without ceasing.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man, Luk2134-36.
18. In every thing give thanks:
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, Heb0414-16.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name, Heb1315.
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19. Quench not the Spirit.
Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let (or, hinder), until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, 2Th0205-08.
Behold, I Paul
say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you
nothing. For I testify again to every man that is
circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.Christ is
become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by
the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait
for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that
ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him
that calleth you, Gql0502-08.
If we have sown
unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap
your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power
over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this
power; suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of
Christ, 1Co0911,12.
20. Despise not prophesyings.
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecyRev1910.
21. Prove all things;
Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ, Act1702,03.
Those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled, Act0318.
hold fast that which is good.
22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death, Jas0112-15.
23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. Faithful is he that calleth you,
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2Th0213,14.
who also will do it.
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures, Jas0116-18..
25. Brethren, pray for us.
26. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Amen.
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