1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11.  Paul had been instructing the Thessalonians about making Christ come into their city by sharing the gospel and thus building the kingdom. He now answers three questions about the hope of Christ coming again physically and setting up his kingdom on earth.

1. What will happen to believers who have already died?   Paul’s answer:  the dead in Christ are asleep —  not conscious of the passing of time. Their next conscious moment will be the sound of Christ coming. He will raise them from the dead so that both they and we who are alive will experience that great event together (4:13-18).
2. When will this happen? Paul’s answer: True believers do not need an answer to that question, because we know that God has designed it to remain a mystery, so that Christ comes unexpectedly, like a thief (5:1-3). {There is a group of Christians who are convinced that Christ is going to return on May 21st. They may be right, but he may also come back today, or it may be another century. We do not know, and we were not meant to know!}
3. How can we prepare?  Paul’s answer: The best way to prepare for the master’s coming is to be found doing what he commanded. He commanded faith, love and hope. If we remain awake and sober, sharing our faith, love, and hope, then we will experience salvation. We will not experience the wrath that the world is destined for (5:4-11).

LORD, come today!  But if you do not, may we not waste today by drunkenness and sleep. May we spend this day sharing our faith in you, our love for each other and the lost, and our hope of your coming kingdom.