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1 Thess 5:10 - He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
Now, many will look back to the 4th chapter and note that "sleep" was used in reference to physical death, and so it means physical death in chapter 5 as well.
14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
However, we need to examine the context for 5:10.
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 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.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be 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 faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The context for v.10 shows a contrast between both saved and unsaved, and lifestyles:
those who are "children of the light and day" vs those who "belong to the night or darkness". This is a contrast between saved and unsaved.
v.6 and 7 contrast lifestyles;
asleep and drunk is contrasted with being awake and sober.
v.8 is an appeal to be sober (lifestyle) since we (believers) belong to the day (saved).
So, v.10 says that which ever lifestyle the believer is in, will live with the Lord.
However, we have a number of other passages that use similar/same wording and concepts that support being awake/asleep being used figuratively for lifestyle of believers.
Romans 13-
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. iow, change your lifestyle.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Appeal for proper lifestyle.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Eph 5-
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Rev 3-
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Rev 16:15 - “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
All of these passages speak of the same words as found in 1 Thess 5:1-9.
So, v.10 proves that salvation is secure, regardless of lifestyle.
Now, for the Arminians, who will recoil at the previous sentence about v.10.
The Bible teaches severe discipline, up to and including physical death at the hand of Satan. So don't bother making the false charge that I am promoting sin.
The incestuous believer in 1 Cor 5:5 was handed over to Satan "for the destruction of the flesh". Does that sound innocuous? It most certainly does not. Satan knows exactly how to make a believer hurt. A lot.
So, no believer will get away with anything. They will face God's discipline. Heb 12:11 says God's discipline is painful.
Now, many will look back to the 4th chapter and note that "sleep" was used in reference to physical death, and so it means physical death in chapter 5 as well.
14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
However, we need to examine the context for 5:10.
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 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.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be 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 faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The context for v.10 shows a contrast between both saved and unsaved, and lifestyles:
those who are "children of the light and day" vs those who "belong to the night or darkness". This is a contrast between saved and unsaved.
v.6 and 7 contrast lifestyles;
asleep and drunk is contrasted with being awake and sober.
v.8 is an appeal to be sober (lifestyle) since we (believers) belong to the day (saved).
So, v.10 says that which ever lifestyle the believer is in, will live with the Lord.
However, we have a number of other passages that use similar/same wording and concepts that support being awake/asleep being used figuratively for lifestyle of believers.
Romans 13-
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. iow, change your lifestyle.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Appeal for proper lifestyle.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Eph 5-
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Rev 3-
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Rev 16:15 - “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
All of these passages speak of the same words as found in 1 Thess 5:1-9.
So, v.10 proves that salvation is secure, regardless of lifestyle.
Now, for the Arminians, who will recoil at the previous sentence about v.10.
The Bible teaches severe discipline, up to and including physical death at the hand of Satan. So don't bother making the false charge that I am promoting sin.
The incestuous believer in 1 Cor 5:5 was handed over to Satan "for the destruction of the flesh". Does that sound innocuous? It most certainly does not. Satan knows exactly how to make a believer hurt. A lot.
So, no believer will get away with anything. They will face God's discipline. Heb 12:11 says God's discipline is painful.
