First Letter to the Thessalonians Chapter 5: 1-6
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman and they will not escape. But you brothers, are not in darkness for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of light , children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.
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What is Paul saying here? He is speaking, it seams, with a believing community, a people who are decided to take seriously the words and parables Paul has related to them and he addresses them stating they are Not without faith and that they are “awake”. He uses the word alert and the word light and I believe he is not just referring to the condition that takes place every 12 hours in nature but more rather he is referring to the spiritual condition of this community which possibly only he himself has raised up and guided, they are devout students and he speaks to them on a more equal level.
For me I see a strong correlation with this community and what is going on today both spiritually and emotionally and the media and political leaders are directly responsible. Peace and safety are the words we are warned about about, the words to which we are to tune our ears for, they are words heard just before utter destruction. For me Paul is speaking with a community who are spiritually awake and know what he is referring to. Take for example, ”for you yourselves are fully aware,” “but you brothers are not in darkness.” Spiritual darkness, being lost in the world, spiritually and emotionally.
Do not let the darkness overtake you could today be said, keep your heads on a swivel or in other words remain spiritually alert always looking not only to what’s in front of you but also what is behind and to either side. I am reminded of the prayer of Saint Patrick of Ireland, it is very long but through it Patrick asks God to be in front, behind, to the left and to the right, up above and down below. Patrick was asking God to go before him in all directions and to allow all whom he made contact with to see Christ first and then see him, Patrick.
May we too ask God to surround us so that we are not caught off guard and to be alert and aware of coming or impending trouble. Check your six would be another phrase or watch your six as in if you were viewing a clock face on the ground and you were at the center and 12 were in front of you and 3 to the right and 9 to the left and 6 to the rear, check your rear, watch your rear, protect your partner’s 6, now your getting it ;-)
Paul was not so much speaking to them about light and dark but being aware and in this time of history we who are watchers and followers of the Christ must remain vigilant and aware, so says Jesus.
Peace to you
