20160907 Wednesday, September 7 2016
1 Thessalonians 05: Who Knows The Secret Of Christ's Return?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only"

The English-language word "secret" originated from a Latin word, secretus, that meant to set apart, with the applied meaning of knowledge that is not generally known. "Secretary" originated from that same word (the term "private secretary" is actually a redundancy because the two words mean the same).

"Secret" is used to translate the Greek word of the Holy Scriptures, pronounced kroop-tos, that means private, or enclosed. The Messiah used the word a number of times in His teachings. Examples:

"6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:3-6 KJV; see also 12 Biblical Principles Of Personal Prayer)

"6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18 KJV; see also The Biblical History Of Christian Fasting)

"13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:34-35 KJV; see also The Meaning Of Parables)

The greatest "secret" of prophecy is when the return of the Messiah will happen - a secret that only the Father knows because He alone will decide when it happens (see also What Happened When The Messiah Arrived In Heaven?).

"24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36 KJV)

While no one knows when the Messiah's return will happen, paradoxically, it will seem, to every human that has ever lived, to happen "today" (see the Fact Fider question below). It was for that reason that the apostle Paul, and every other true servant of the LORD, emphasized living a full-effort Christian life, as though Jesus Christ were going to return today. At the heart of that principle are the famous Messianic teachings about "let your light shine" (reiterated in verse 5 below; see also Why Can't Light Be Hidden?), the armor of God (reiterated in verse 8 below; see also Why Does The LORD's Armour Attract The Devil's Fire?) and "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (verse 21 below; see also Prove All Things, Hold Fast What Is Good).

"5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

5:16 Rejoice evermore. 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

5:19 Quench not the Spirit. 5:20 Despise not prophesyings. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 KJV)

Fact Finder: How is it possible that it will seem, to every human that has ever lived, that Jesus Christ will return "today"?
See Could Jesus Christ Return Today?