…the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly,

like a thief in the night.

So be on your guard,

not asleep like the others.

Stay alert and be clearheaded.

…protected by the armor of faith and love,

and wearing as our helmet 

the confidence of our salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:2, 6, 8

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven

with a commanding shout,

with the voice of the archangel,

and with the trumpet call of God.

First,

the believers who have died will rise from their graves.

Then,

together with them,

we who are still alive and remain on the earth

will be caught up in the clouds 

to meet the Lord in the air.

Then we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

…we want you to know what will happen

to the believers who have died

so you will not grieve like people who

have no hope.

For since we believe that Jesus died

and was raised to life again,

we also believe that when Jesus returns,

God will bring back with him

the believers who have died.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

…in the last days scoffers will come,

mocking the truth and following their own desires.

They will say,

“What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?

From before the times of our ancestors,

everything has remained the same

since the world was first created.”

They deliberately forget 

that God made the heavens long ago 

by the word of his command,

and he brought the earth out from the water 

and surrounded it with water.

Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world

with a mighty flood.

And by the same word,

the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire.

They are being kept for the day of judgment,

when ungodly people will be destroyed. 

2 Peter 3:3-7

…we have even greater confidence

in the message proclaimed by the prophets.

You must pay close attention to what they wrote,

for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—

until the Day dawns,

and Christ the Morning Star 

shines in your hearts.

2 Peter 1:19

The more you grow like this,

the more productive and useful you will be

in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

…work hard to prove that you really are

among those God has called and chosen.

Do these things,

and you will never fall away.

Then God will give you a grand entrance

into the eternal Kingdom 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:8, 10-11

By his divine power,

God has given us everything we need

for living a godly life…

In view of all this,

make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

Supplement your faith

with a generous provision

of moral excellence

…with knowledge

…with self-control

…with patient endurance

…with godliness

…with brotherly affection

…with love for everyone.

2 Peter 1:3, 5-7

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you.

Watch over it willingly,

not grudgingly—

not for what you will get out of it,

but because you are eager to serve God.

And when the Great Shepherd appears, 

you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

1 Peter 5:2, 4

…keep on doing what is right,

and trust your lives to the God who created you,

for he will never fail you.

1 Peter 4:19

If you are insulted

because you bear the name of Christ,

you will be blessed,

for the glorious Spirit of God

rests upon you.

1 Peter 4:14