2 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape".
Several questions----
1. Who are "they"?
(That would be 1 Thes. 5:3).
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."
THEY...
THEY are those upon whom the Lord returns "
as a thief." Believers KNOW the Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night because Paul says, "
but of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." Other proof that THEY are NOT believers are the words
BUT YE! According to Strong's the word BUT.... universally, by way of
opposition and distinction;
it is added to statements opposed to a preceding statement:
In other words BUT YE...meaning believers
as opposed to unbelievers, "are aware the Lord returns as a thief in the night.
2. What event leads "they" to believe peace and safety has come?
The passage doesn't indicate that 'peace and safety' has come to anyone. It indicates that THEY/non-believers desire and want "peace and security!"
3. Who/what brings destruction that "they" shall not escape? 4. When will this take place?
Jesus brings the destruction at the final battle, the times surrounding the Lord's return at the end of the tribulation, "the Day of the Lord."
What is the day of the Lord? The New Testament calls it a day of “wrath, a day of visitation,” and the “great day of God Almighty." A future fulfillment when God’s wrath is poured out on unbelieving Israel (Isaiah 22; Jeremiah 30:1-17; Joel 1-2; Amos 5; Zephaniah 1) and on the unbelieving world. The time of the parousia...
"The future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God."