Have you ever had a thief break into your house, and steal some valuable or precious items of yours? Thankfully I have not. However, living in the metropolitan area of Chicago all my life, I have heard about this on the nightly news all too often. With their valuable items gone, and often irreplaceable items of sentimental value as well, the people are angry. If they had only known it was going to happen that night, they would have installed an alarm system, or gotten a large dog, or just stayed home or awake. If we knew that there was a thief waiting at the corner to mug us, we wouldn’t go down that street. If we knew that there was a carjacker on a certain street, we wouldn’t drive down there. These things happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Some other things happen suddenly. Our Scripture for today also talks about something that will happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Let’s see what this is.
One popular topic with many Christians is when they think that Jesus will return. They like to speculate when they think the Rapture and His Second Coming will occur. People were guessing about this back in the days of Paul, and have been, off and on, since then. I know that throughout my lifetime, many people have speculated about this, some even setting dates. Paul, though, says that no one will know the date of this event. Jesus even told His followers that no one, not even the angels, will know when that will be (Matthew 24:36). Paul stated that those who knew these words of Jesus, and those of the other apostles, should not need to be reminded that they cannot know the times or the seasons (vs. 1). Anyone who sets a date is a false teacher.
Paul has told us that this day will come suddenly and unexpectedly, just like a thief who comes in the night (vs. 2). As mentioned above, no one knows when that happens. If they did, they would have been prepared. A wise person stays in a constant state of preparedness, such as with alarms, lights, watchdogs, etc. Labor pains also come suddenly, and a wise woman has things prepared ahead of time so that when the pains begin, she is ready to go. Paul’s message is to be prepared, to be ready.
When Jesus returns, He will bring judgment. Many preachers today like to give only “feel good” messages, ones of peace and love. They preach that God will never condemn what we do, as long as we have that peace and love. These false prophets forecast a bright future for everyone, in spite of the imminence of God’s judgment (vs. 3). That time will come suddenly, and it will be inescapable and painful for those who are not ready.
The important thing is, are you ready? As believers, we need to live godly lives, in light of the coming judgment on the world. When Jesus comes, He will judge sin, and set up His eternal kingdom. Christians, those who have personally accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, belong to the kingdom of light. Unbelievers are in darkness, both mental, moral, and spiritual darkness because of their sin and unbelief (vs. 4-5). True believers are children of God their heavenly Father, who is light and in whom there is no darkness (I John 1:5-7).
Paul warns us to not be spiritually asleep at this time, just like people wish they weren’t asleep when that thief broke into their home (vs. 6). Do not sleep in spiritual indifference and comfort, but instead, be alert. Don’t sleep like the sleeping, spiritually dark people are. Jesus is coming again, and each day brings us one day closer. Those who are in spiritual darkness have no idea what is coming upon them and the whole world (vs. 7).
Living with the end in view requires spiritual vigilance and self control (vs. 8). We need to be sober, have a clear and alert mind, filled with faith and love, and most importantly sure of our salvation in the Lord Jesus (vs. 9). Are you ready for that day, or are you living as if that day were a long way off? It could happen at any time. A faithful Christian will live each day prepared to welcome Christ.
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