Note 20 at 1 Th. 5:3: In verse 3, Paul is expounding on the point he made in verse 2 about the coming of the Lord being unexpected. At the very time that the world is feeling secure, destruction will come and they will not escape. This destruction that Paul is speaking of is "the day of the Lord" or the second coming of Christ which he spoke of in verse 2 (see note 18 at v. 2, p. 1241).

Note 21 at 1 Th. 5:3: These verses which comprise the context of Paul's statement about "the day of the Lord" make it clear that he too understood the "day of the Lord" to be a day of judgment on the ungodly (see note 18 at v. 2, p. 1241). Yet, looking at the even broader context, we can see that this "day of the Lord" is relating back to his statements in chapter 4 about our gathering together unto the Lord in the air.

Once again, this different emphasis of comfort in 1 Thessalonnians 4:18 and judgment in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 has led some to believe these are two different comings; i.e. "the rapture" in 1 Thessalonians 4 and the second coming in 1 Thessalonians 5 (see note 15 at 1 Th. 4:17, p. 1240). However, there is no reason from these scriptures to separate this into two events. It is very plausible that we will be caught up in the air to meet the Lord as He is returning to the earth to fight the great battle of Armegeddon (Rev. 16:16). We then become part of that great heavenly army returning to earth.

As a matter of fact, the context of Revelation 16:16 where it speaks of Armegeddon uses this same analogy that Paul used here in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 about this time coming as a thief. This further strengthens the argument for this "day of the Lord" being the second coming of Christ.

Note 22 at 1 Th. 5:3: Isaiah's prophecy about the destruction accompanying "the day of the Lord" (see note 18 at 1 Th. 5:2, p. 1241) used this same illustration of a woman in travail. This shows the suddenness of the judgment that will come at the second coming of the Lord.