While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. – 1 Thessalonians 5:3
Forecasting the weather is sometimes said to be more of an art than a science. The accuracy of the forecasts of the path of the recent Hurricane Milton, as it changed when the hurricane wobbled, was said to be amazing. What forecasters did not see was the more than 100 tornados that would spin off the bands of that hurricane, proving to be more deadly than the hurricane itself.
Scriptures on the Day of the Lord are more than a forecast—they reveal truth about what lies ahead. Only the Father knows when that day is coming, but it will happen at a time when the forecasts are for peace and safety. It will be unexpected, sudden, and, for most, unforeseen. In the Believer’s Bible Commentary, theologian William MacDonald says, “There will be an air of confidence and security in the world. Then God’s judgment will suddenly begin to descend with vast destructive force. Destruction does not mean loss of being, or annihilation; it means loss of well-being, or ruin as far as the purpose of one’s existence is concerned. It will be as inevitable and unavoidable as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. From this judgment there will be no escape for unbelievers.”
Jesus warned about false forecasters in His Sermon on the Mount, reminding you that you will recognize them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). The writer of the Book of Hebrews asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). No matter what the false prophets tell you, those who do not believe will find no escape in the coming Day of the Lord. Christ is the only One who can deliver from what lies ahead (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). If you lack that assurance today, bow before Him now and put your faith in His finished work on the Cross for your eternal salvation.
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 5:1-13
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
