The Day

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2,5,7-8 - Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness…For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Ephesians 6:14-15 - Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Isaiah 59:17 - He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Romans 13:12 - The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 - We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusions:

• Christians do not simply live in the light, they are characterized by light
• Character, not brute force, wins the battle, just as in the case of the Messiah
• The warrior’s character is his defense
• God Himself is symbolically described as putting on a breastplate of righteousness when He goes forth to bring about justice
• The Lord’s armor is compared to the believer’s armor in the battle against Satan
• God’s vengeance is part of the day of the Lord
• The day of the Lord is the consummation of all things
• There will be some preliminary signs, but the coming of the Lord will be as unexpected as that of a thief in the night
• The night is the present evil age
• These texts do not mean that the early Christians believed that Jesus would return within a few years
• Early Christians regarded the death and resurrection of Christ as the crucial events of history that began the last days
• Since the next great event in God’s redemptive plan is the second coming of Jesus Christ, the night, no matter how long chronologically it may last, is nearly over
• The day is the appearing of Jesus Christ, which ushers in the consummation of the kingdom
• Faith produces action
• Hope is not unfounded wishful thinking, but firm confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ and His return

Application:

• Are you characterized by Light?
• Is character your defense?
• Are you wearing the Lord's armor in the battle against Satan?
• Are you ready for the Lord's coming?
• Have you put on the armor of light?
• Do you have firm confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ?

All Scripture verses from the NIV

Conclusions derived from the NIV Study Bible