Why does Paul say in 1 Thess 5:6 that sleep is (in the specific case of what He is talking about in that portion of scripture) a voluntary condition?
1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 5:6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
I will answer to save time --- He tells us that the sleep He is speaking about is voluntary because He is speaking about the spiritual condition of Christians who are not alert (the greek definition of the word "watch" is the concept of being "alert" or "vigilant" as the following link shows http://brmicke.yolasite.com/rapture-verses.php ).
They have through inactivity allowed a sleepy condition to overtake them. More clearly understood - this is a case of their being "backslidden" or not sober.
This clearly means that those people who read a "rapture" into these verses are reading the parable as it was intended that an unbeliever read it and hence not understand the true meaning.
They do not understand that the so called rapture verses are designed to keep the truth from unbelievers. Just as Jesus wanted to keep the pearls of spiritual knowledge away from those who refused to follow Him.
A parable is (by those who are gifted as the Apostle Paul was) designed to keep the mysteries of God from unbelievers.
Mt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mr 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded (interpreted) all things to his disciples.
By the way the three verses above illustrate Jesus speaking in tongues and then interpreting the message in tongues.
Every time Jesus spoke to crowds containing believers and unbelievers He intentionally, and to keep the mysteries of God from unbelievers, spoke in parables.
Mt 13:34 All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable.
(RSV)
Jesus constantly was aware that He was not to cast pearls (spiritual knowledge) to swine and He organized His teaching to reflect this.
Mt 7:6 "Do not give dogs (unbelievers) what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. (RSV)
1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 5:6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
I will answer to save time --- He tells us that the sleep He is speaking about is voluntary because He is speaking about the spiritual condition of Christians who are not alert (the greek definition of the word "watch" is the concept of being "alert" or "vigilant" as the following link shows http://brmicke.yolasite.com/rapture-verses.php ).
They have through inactivity allowed a sleepy condition to overtake them. More clearly understood - this is a case of their being "backslidden" or not sober.
This clearly means that those people who read a "rapture" into these verses are reading the parable as it was intended that an unbeliever read it and hence not understand the true meaning.
They do not understand that the so called rapture verses are designed to keep the truth from unbelievers. Just as Jesus wanted to keep the pearls of spiritual knowledge away from those who refused to follow Him.
A parable is (by those who are gifted as the Apostle Paul was) designed to keep the mysteries of God from unbelievers.
Mt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mr 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded (interpreted) all things to his disciples.
By the way the three verses above illustrate Jesus speaking in tongues and then interpreting the message in tongues.
Every time Jesus spoke to crowds containing believers and unbelievers He intentionally, and to keep the mysteries of God from unbelievers, spoke in parables.
Mt 13:34 All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable.
(RSV)
Jesus constantly was aware that He was not to cast pearls (spiritual knowledge) to swine and He organized His teaching to reflect this.
Mt 7:6 "Do not give dogs (unbelievers) what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. (RSV)