But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
Paul's statement that there is no need to write about the times and the seasons means the brethren already knew about them concerning the day of the Lord, because he had already taught them about the times and seasons and the events that would precede Christ's return and did not need to explain the subject at length or repeat it in writing. It introduces an exhortation to people who know that the day of the Lord is near and need no further instruction on that point. What they knew perfectly was how that day will come, that the day of the Lord comes unexpectedly like a thief in the night. That day is the future sudden destruction and day of wrath connected with Christ's second coming, not an event already past.
That sudden and inescapable destruction will fall upon those who are saying peace and safety while absorbed in worldly pleasures, coming upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. The believers addressed include the last generation who will be living on earth when that day comes, and they are to watch for its approach. As brethren and children of light and children of the day, and not of the night nor of darkness, they live in the light all the time, taught of God who does not hide His counsel from them but makes His will and mind concerning them known to them. That day therefore will not overtake them as a thief if they remember this and take their stand and position accordingly.
The verse thus points to the signs that precede the second coming and calls believers to heed the warning rather than ignore it. Indifference to those signs is sinful, while those who receive the light of truth need not be caught unprepared. They must not sleep as do others but must stay awake, watchful and sober, putting on the full armor God has furnished, the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. God has not appointed them to wrath but to obtain salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for them so that whether they wake or sleep they shall live together with Him, and they are to comfort and edify one another. Those who held this understanding added that watchmen who diligently and prayerfully searched the Scriptures should have recognized the prophetic time and the events approaching, since the prophecies of Daniel and John gave light about what was about to take place.
The coming of the day of trial as a thief in the night, stealing unawares, calls for an education that trains all the powers consecrated to service for glorifying God, as in the school of the prophets. In that education youthful zeal and ardor are to be employed in real, good, thorough and well-organized efforts under instructors to be a blessing to others, instead of being spent on games and on the wrong use of holidays, money and time.
Paul's statement that there is no need to write about the times and the seasons means the brethren already knew about them concerning the day of the Lord, because he had already taught them about the times and seasons and the events that would precede Christ's return and did not need to explain the subject at length or repeat it in writing. It introduces an exhortation to people who know that the day of the Lord is near and need no further instruction on that point. What they knew perfectly was how that day will come, that the day of the Lord comes unexpectedly like a thief in the night. That day is the future sudden destruction and day of wrath connected with Christ's second coming, not an event already past.
That sudden and inescapable destruction will fall upon those who are saying peace and safety while absorbed in worldly pleasures, coming upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. The believers addressed include the last generation who will be living on earth when that day comes, and they are to watch for its approach. As brethren and children of light and children of the day, and not of the night nor of darkness, they live in the light all the time, taught of God who does not hide His counsel from them but makes His will and mind concerning them known to them. That day therefore will not overtake them as a thief if they remember this and take their stand and position accordingly.
The verse thus points to the signs that precede the second coming and calls believers to heed the warning rather than ignore it. Indifference to those signs is sinful, while those who receive the light of truth need not be caught unprepared. They must not sleep as do others but must stay awake, watchful and sober, putting on the full armor God has furnished, the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. God has not appointed them to wrath but to obtain salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for them so that whether they wake or sleep they shall live together with Him, and they are to comfort and edify one another. Those who held this understanding added that watchmen who diligently and prayerfully searched the Scriptures should have recognized the prophetic time and the events approaching, since the prophecies of Daniel and John gave light about what was about to take place.
The coming of the day of trial as a thief in the night, stealing unawares, calls for an education that trains all the powers consecrated to service for glorifying God, as in the school of the prophets. In that education youthful zeal and ardor are to be employed in real, good, thorough and well-organized efforts under instructors to be a blessing to others, instead of being spent on games and on the wrong use of holidays, money and time.