But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)

The Thief In The Night

There are many important days in life. The day of birth, the first day of school, the day of marriage, the day of retirement, and the day of death. All of these measure life from beginning to end. Not everyone goes to school, marries, and retires, but everyone is born and dies. Life can be a time of succession to achieve the next goal. Parents send their children to school so they can learn to read, write, and understand arithmetic. Many young people make plans to marry and start a home. Looking for a life occupation takes planning. Some go to college while others find their niche and make a good life. Retirement is always desired to relax and enjoy the golden years of life. Little thought is given to a day that is more important than all put together.  

The Lord has told man from the beginning that life is a vapor and there is no promise of tomorrow. Death is imminent, and all men will face that day. There is nothing a man can do to avoid his place in the cycle of life and death. Forgotten in the reality of death is the word of the Lord that He will come back one day. His coming will not be announced. There will be no warnings. Like a thief in the night, the Lord will return to bring an end to the world, and everything living on the planet will be destroyed. It will be sudden, fierce, explosive, and final. That day is not on the calendar. Jesus does not know when that will be, so no one on planet Earth can certainly know the day. What is known is that the day will be like a thief in the night.

Thieves break in and steal. Their purpose is to steal without getting caught. They will not send notices to their victims of the time of arrival and how they plan to enter the home. A homeowner may be away when the thief comes. It may be in the middle of the day or the dark of night. There is no warning or advance knowledge. When the thief decides to make his move, he does so with the greatest stealth. Using that analogy, the Holy Spirit declares two things. First, Jesus is coming back. Second, there is no way to know when that day will happen.

There is no doubt that Jesus is coming back. The angels at the ascension of Jesus, following His resurrection, assured the eleven that Jesus would return. As the church spread throughout the Roman Empire, the doctrine of Jesus’ return served as the foundation of teaching. It seems many in the First Century believed Jesus would return in their lifetime. He did not. The coming of the Lord has not happened for more than two thousand years. But He is coming back.

Concerning the times and seasons of Jesus’ return means nothing. The reason is that there will be no warning. Men try to say when the Lord is coming back, but they are false teachers deluded by their own philosophies of error. Jesus will return, and His return will be sudden, without warning, and complete. There will be no time to prepare. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, a trumpet will sound, and everything comes to an end. Like in the days of Noah, people will be going about their business, enjoying their pleasures, looking for another day with hopes of greater tomorrows. None of that will matter. When the world thinks everything is peace and safety, Jesus will return. No one will escape the judgment of the Lord on the final day.

The Christian knows this day is coming. Of all people who should not be surprised when the Lord comes back, it is the child of God. Living a life of glory for the Lord, Christians know each day could be their final. This does not sadden the heart but lightens the load of life to long for the return of Jesus Christ. The day of the Lord should not overtake the faithful like a thief. People of God are prepared. They live each day waiting for that moment. There is nothing greater than waiting for the Lord to come back – and today will be a great day for Jesus to return.