Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Thessalonians Chapter 5
Metaphysically Interpreting I Thessalonians 5:1-11
5:1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. 5:2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 5:3When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. 5:4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: 5:5for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; 5:6so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. 5:7For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. 5:8But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 5:9For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,5:10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 5:11Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
August 8, 1897: I Thessalonians 5:1-2
1. But in making this greatest of demonstrations “times and seasons” are not to be considered; immortality is not a condition to develop into, but a realization of that which already is and ever was.
2. “For the day of the Lord” the day or state of realization instantaneously “cometh” not by “times and seasons,” but in eternity, in the measureless Now. “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation,” realization. Instantaneity is the “thief” that steals away “times and seasons.”
UNITY magazine
August 14, 1938: I Thessalonians 5:6-8
Who are those characterized as “of the day”? They who understand something of the hidden springs of conduct and character are “of the day,” while those who lack self-understanding are of “the night” and cannot steer a straight course in temperate living.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Thessalonians 5:12-28
5:12But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 5:13and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 5:14And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 5:15See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 5:16Rejoice always; 5:17pray without ceasing; 5:18in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 5:19Quench not the Spirit; 5:20despise not prophesyings; 5:21prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 5:22abstain from every form of evil.
5:23And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5:24Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.
5:25Brethren, pray for us.
5:26Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. 5:27I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.
August 8, 1909: Thessalonians 5:12-24
In this lesson Paul gives a general treatment, covering the six points of Science, in the whole epistle.
- First, the greeting, which is the recognition of the Principle in all things;
- second, the thanksgiving, which is the acknowledgment that all things are ours;
- third, the logic of the doctrine, which is an affirmation of understanding;
- fourth, the practical application, which is the expression of the law;
- fifth, the identification of the power in us;
- and, sixth, a closing affirmation of the Omnipresent Good.
It requires patience and perseverance to master all the thoughts that make up the various planes of consciousness in each of us. There are the “unruly” thoughts that have not yet learned the law of order. They are like a lot of raw recruits in an army. They have to be drilled with firmness and patience. Then there are the “feeble-minded” thoughts, those that believe in inability and inefficiency. They are always jumping up in our throats and causing us to say “I can't” and “I don't know.” The only real comfort we can extend to them is to take away their feebleness and put efficiency in its place. This is easily done by the steady affirmation in thought and word, “I can, I will, I know, and I can do all things through the power of God in me.” We “support the weak” thoughts by putting a foundation of strength under them. The poor little thoughts that whine as they recite their puny ills are the most subtle, because they appeal to our sympathies. They seem so real at times that we fall into their sly little traps, and instead of being patient only, we become more than patient, we become resigned to the inertia that creeps over us so gently. Here is where we must rise in Spirit and affirm the might and power of the I Am, which is the image and likeness of the Omnipresent God.
If you believe in the reality of evil, it will cause you to be restless and unhappy. Your mind and body will reflect the contentious reactions which result from the belief that evil has power. When you know the truth that the good has all the real power, then you will no longer allow these thoughts to keep up their battles in your consciousness.
Say often to yourself: “The belief in the reality of evil no longer has place in my mind or body. There are no conflicting emotions in my subconsciousness resulting from this belief in duality of forces. I know that God is Good, and that Good is the only power in man and the universe. My world is henceforth ruled by the harmonies of the Infinite Good.”
“Pray without ceasing.” The intellectual man says this is oriental exaggeration, that prayers should be at stated times, and that it is an absurd proposition to “pray without ceasing.” But there are activities of the Spirit which the intellectual man may not have discerned, and among them is the inner flame that constantly recognizes the presence and power of God, and a certain concentration of the mind within the devotee quickens the brain centers in the organism, until they constantly quiver with the vibrations of the Spirit. While occupied with everyday affairs, this inner consciousness keeps up its steady flow, and such a one can realize what is meant by “pray without ceasing.”
We “quench the Spirit,” when we put worldly fact and material reason in place of spiritual conviction. This is done in so many ways that it would take a volume to describe even a part of them. We strengthen the Spirit every time we stand by our inner conviction, regardless of the arguments without.
Those who live in the world of events long to know the future. The Spirit lives in the now, and the prophecy is that you reap as you sow, that you may know exactly what your future will be by studying the thoughts you are now sending forth. There is no mystery about this, and it is not governed by the Fates. You are now generating the forces (that will bring about the events of your life, and you can consequently have any land of a future you desire. What you are now thinking is an exact prophecy of what your future will be, hence we should not despise this prophecy.
– UNITY magazine.
July 6, 1919: I Thessalonians 5:11-15
How can members of the Church of Christ know what is required of them, if they have no creed to follow? The Spirit of Truth guides them into all truth.
When will the Church of Christ come to earth? The Church of Christ is here now, and it is known as all who seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
June 11, 1939: I Thessalonians 5:12-15
What final admonitions to unity are contained in this lesson? The disciples are urged to understand and appreciate those in positions of authority, encourage those in need of help, show forbearance to all, return good for evil as unfailingly as they return good for good.
February 2, 1941: I Thessalonians 5:22
Why is the negative advice to “abstain from every form of evil” given? Although the advice is negative, obedience to it calls for completely constructive effort. Forms are useful as outlines that are readily recognized. One may follow them or not, as one chooses.
November 23, 1941: I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Why is it important to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing” and “in everything give thanks”? In order to keep ourselves continuously in the Christ consciousness we should abide in the thought of God and express the faculties that help us to enter into this consciousness.
October 1, 1950: I Thessalonians 5:15-23
Is the life of the Christ fixed in a frame of rigid rules? No. The Christ stirs us to “prove all things” and “hold fast that which is good.” The authority of the Christ is native to each individual. Only the good is to remain unchanged.
Why is the “righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” not enough? Because it is an outward show only, with no attendant conversion of the heart. No hypocritical profession of faith is acceptable in the spiritual realm. It is our life and character that we are molding, and we cannot afford to deceive ourselves.
How does the Spirit of the Christ cause us to react toward evil? It causes us to return good for evil, never evil for evil.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-14-2014
