The Day of the Lord

(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)

5 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, {we do} not need to write to you. 2 For you {are} fully aware that [the] Day of [the] Lord will come like a thief in [the] night. 3 While [people] are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in [the] darkness so that [this] day should overtake you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of [the] light and sons of [the] day; we do not belong to [the] night [or] to [the] darkness. 6 So then, let us not sleep as the others [do], but let us remain awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But [since] we belong to [the] day, let us be sober, putting on [the] breastplate of faith and love, and [the] helmet [of our] hope of salvation.

9 For God has not appointed us to [suffer] wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage and build one another {up}, just as you are already doing.