Maybe Paul had Isaiah 66 in mind when speaking 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
More proof that it is the WHAT not the HOW & WHEN that matters most...read on...I don't think I need to comment...
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my
throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for
me? Where will my resting place be? Has not
my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those
who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. But
whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a
lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is
like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they
delight in their abominations; so I also
will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For
when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in
my sight and chose what displeases me.”
Hear the word of the LORD, you who
tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of
my name, have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet
they will be put to shame. Hear that
uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the
LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve.
“Before
she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has
ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be
born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion
in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I
bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close
up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice
with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with
her, all you who mourn over her. For you
will nurse and be satisfied at
her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing
abundance.”
For this is what the LORD says: “I will
extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a
flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her
knees. As a
mother comforts her child,so
will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you
see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of
the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his
foes. See, the
LORD is coming with fire, and his
chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his
rebuke with flames of fire. For with
fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many
will be those slain by the LORD.
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