Children of Light and Children of the Day | Blessed Hope Bible study
Children of Light and Children of the Day
1 Thess 5:5
5 Ye are all the children of light [believers saved during the dispensation of grace], and the children of the day [we belong to the Lord and have been delivered from Satan's kingdom]: we are not of the night [the tribulation period], nor of darkness [Satans kingdom].
This is such a comforting verse. What this means is that as believers in the dispensation of grace we are not subject to God's coming wrath upon the earth.
Today, in the dispensation of grace, God is extending grace and peace.
Eph 1:2 KJV -
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col 1:2 KJV -
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 1:1 KJV -
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is offering salvation by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross, and he's not chastising the nations or pouring out his wrath on the world today in the dispensation of grace.
1Th 1:10 KJV -
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
When we hear about terrible things happening in our world today- anything from natural disasters and wars, God is not responsible for them. God created the natural world, and when he originally created it, it was perfect and good. However, sin has corrupted even the natural world bringing the curse upon it (Read Genesis chapters 1-3). The natural world "flows" naturally as God created but with the sin curse too effecting it. So, natural disasters are not God punishing people today. But, during the tribulation period God WILL use, or temporarily manipulate nature at times to pour out his wrath.
We need to understand what God is or isn't doing today, or we will lay the blame on God and feel abandoned or even abused by him.
Paul tells us here that we are children of light. Eph 5:8 alao says,
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
The Lord Jesus Christ is light and he is clothed in light. As belevers, we are filled with God's light in our inner man having his Spirit in our spirit. And, one day we will be clothed in light too in our new glorious, heavenly bodies.
Col 1:12 KJV -
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
John 1:4-5
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Psalm 104:2
2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
1Co 15:48 KJV -
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
We are also children of light because we are no longer under Satan's power. Unbelievers walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air.
Eph 2:2 KJV -
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Col 1:13
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
But, believers have been delivered from that and as believers we should also walk as children of light. We have a commission to share the gospel of the grace of God with others and we are to help other believers to mature spiritually through the word as well.
2Co 5:18 KJV -
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Rom 14:19 KJV -
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
We are not of the night. The night essentially is the tribulation period. Darkness is Satan's kingdom. We are not unbelievers who are subject to God's wrath.
Looking at the verses again
1 Thess 5:5
5 Ye are all the children of light [saved during the dispensation of grace], and the children of the day [we belong to the Lord and have been delivered from Satan's kingdom]: we are not of the night [the tribulation period], nor of darkness [Satans kingdom].
So, we must continue on with the work of the ministry, so that others might be saved so that they will not be left behind and so that fellow believers can be encouraged and edified by us teaching them sound grace doctrine.
Romans 13:11-12
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
2Ti 4:2 KJV -
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Co 5:20 KJV -
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
We are also not to be moved away from our blessed hope!
Col 1:23 KJV -
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1 Thess 5:10-11
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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