Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 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. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Comment: I don’t think that Paul talks about the seasons referring to summer, autumn, winter and springtime except to remind them that in God’s eternal calendar there are seasons! In the Old Testament in the years from creation until the coming of Jesus there are many subdivisions – before Noah, before Abraham, before the Exodus, the silent years between the OT and the NT etc! Then there is the time when Jesus, the Messiah, was on the earth and at the end of which period the gospel, which had before been promised, came into full blossom. After that the period is called ‘the last days’, which extends from His Ascension until beyond the now, until Jesus returns. God alone knows when Jesus will return, even though people sometimes think that they know better than Jesus and make a date prophecy! We have had our car stolen and burnt, We have had our house broken into at least three times. So we understand Paul’s reference to be caught unawares. And with five genetic children of our own we know about labour pains being at unexpected hours! Paul’s ‘pep talk’ to the Thessalonians is all about being prepared for the return of the Saviour, even telling them what they are to wear! let us be sober (our clothing) having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. Ephesus wasn’t far away from Thessalonica and they probably shared their letters. In Eph ch 6 v13-17 Paul adds others items to completely dress Christians for the fight which life is, like it or not! In Ephesians it starts ‘Therefore take up the whole armor of God….’
Prayer: May I be found dressed as You wish. And to even sleep fully prepared for Your coming again, Lord Jesus. In the meantime I know that You have a life for me to live!
As I read it! 