Lesson 7 - The Coming Day of the Lord
Question 2: Why does Paul tell them in v. 1 that they don't need anything written to them about the “times and the epochs”? Is it because Paul had already given them a thorough understanding of eschatology? Or is there something else?
Answer: How we answer reveals how we approach end-times speculation.
What Paul says: "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" (5:1–2).
Three possible interpretations:
1. They already know the details: Paul taught them thoroughly about end-times events when he was with them, so they don't need more information. They know the timeline, the signs, the sequence of events.
Problem with this view: If they knew all the details, why does Paul need to write 2 Thessalonians 2 to correct their confusion about whether the day had already come? Shouldn't they have known better?
2. The details don't matter: Paul is saying, "Don't worry about trying to figure out the exact timing." The point isn't to have a detailed chart of end-times events; it's to be ready.
Support for this view: Jesus Himself said, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority" (Acts 1:7). Speculation about timing misses the point.
3. They know what they need to know: Paul may be saying, "You already know the essential truth about the day of the Lord. It comes unexpectedly for those who aren't ready, but it shouldn't surprise those who are watchful."
This seems most likely because:
Paul immediately tells them what they "know full well" - it comes like a thief (v. 2)
His concern isn't giving them more information but calling them to readiness (vv. 4–8)
The emphasis is on living as "sons of light" not on predicting dates
What does this mean for us? We shouldn't be obsessed with end-times timelines. Every generation thinks they're seeing the signs. Many detailed predictions have failed. Jesus said no one knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36).
We should know the essential truths:
Jesus is coming back
It will be unexpected for those who aren't watching
It means salvation for believers and destruction for unbelievers
We should live ready
We should focus on readiness, not speculation: Notice Paul's application: "So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober" (v. 6). The point isn't to decode prophecy but to live faithfully.
The key takeaway: Paul isn't encouraging ignorance about Christ's return. He's discouraging fruitless speculation about timing. You don't need a detailed timeline to live in light of Christ's return. You need to:
Be alert (v. 6)
Be sober (v. 6, 8)
Put on faith, love, and hope (v. 8)
Encourage one another (v. 11)
As someone wisely said: "Live like Christ is coming back today. Plan like He's coming back in 100 years." Be ready. That's what you need to know.
Question 8: In v. 9, Paul writes of the faithful being destined for 'obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Is this a past salvation or future salvation? What are the theological consequences of choosing one view over another?
Answer: The short answer is: both. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Three Tenses of Salvation: Scripture speaks of salvation in three ways:
Past: We were saved - justified, forgiven, reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:8, "you have been saved")
Present: We are being saved - sanctified, transformed, growing (1 Corinthians 1:18, "to us who are being saved")
Future: We will be saved - glorified, rescued from wrath, given resurrection bodies (Romans 5:9, "we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him")
In 1 Thessalonians 5:9: Paul is speaking of future salvation—specifically being saved from "wrath." Look at the context: he's been talking about the day of the Lord coming like a thief (v. 2), sudden destruction for those in darkness (v. 3), but salvation for believers (v. 9). This is clearly about final, future deliverance when Christ returns.
This connects to what he wrote in 1:10 about Jesus who "rescues us from the wrath to come."
Why does this matter? Understanding that salvation has a "not yet" component keeps us from complacency. Yes, if you've trusted Christ, you're saved right now—justified, forgiven, born again. But we're still awaiting the completion of salvation. As Paul says in Romans 8:23–24, "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved." (For more on the important and often misunderstood doctrine of adoption, check out our article linked here.)
This creates appropriate urgency: "Now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" (Romans 13:11). It also provides comfort during suffering because we know the best is yet to come.
The theological consequence: If we only focus on past salvation, we might become lazy in our faith. If we only focus on future salvation, we might doubt whether we're truly saved now. But holding both truths together—already saved, not yet fully saved—keeps us both confident in Christ and pressing on toward the goal.
You are saved. And you will be saved. Keep the faith. Endure until the end.