Christ Will Come Again Like a Theif in the Night
What Does information technology Mean That God Will Return Like a Thief in the Dark?
- Contributing Writer
- 2021 30 April
The term "thief in the night" comes from i Thessalonians 5:2 which says, "for you know very well that the twenty-four hours of the Lord will come similar a thief in the dark." Paul is the writer of this New Attestation volume of the Bible. He is talking about the need for Christians to be in tune with what God is doing so we are not defenseless past surprise when Jesus returns.
The Bible talks of a "second coming" of Jesus that volition conductor in a final judgment of the Globe and its inhabitants. This season of time is both spoken of in a warning and even urgent tone but also information technology is looked forward to equally with God's judgment we can also await frontwards to the full restoration of his cosmos. Jesus tells his followers to exist warning considering the moment of his return volition grab those who aren't paying attention past surprise (Matthew 25:1-13). He wants his people to remain vigilant so we are prepare for the mean solar day that we run across Jesus face up to face. Life is full of distractions. The bulletin Jesus leaves us is that we accept to be careful not to let the cares of this world go along us from being people who "seek outset the Kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
Paul, one of the most prolific writers of the New Testament, urges Christians to persevere in their faith. His message which cautioned believers to "not sleep, but keep watch" (one Thessalonians 5:6) was relevant to those who he was personally writing to and is still relevant to our lives today. It is then very like shooting fish in a barrel to lose focus in our Christian walk. Nosotros need reminders that God is real, at work, and desires us to passionately follow after him.
What Does 'Like a Thief in the Night' Hateful About God's Return?
Let's interruption down 1 Thessalonians 5:ii so we can better understand what Paul is trying to communicate to his readers. The apostle shares a description of the coming judgment of the world. Paul says the globe will be surprised when these events begin to unfold but believers will empathize that God is at work.
This verse reminds believers that we have the knowledge that God volition come up unexpectedly back into the world. For the unbeliever, Jesus' return volition come "like a thief in the nighttime" they will not exist prepared for his arrival. This text emphasizes that for the believer the inflow of Jesus will be expected. Paul also communicates in this chapter that a Christian'due south focus should be on righteous living, in expectation for God to do the unexpected. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 says, "So then, let us not be similar others, who are comatose, but let united states of america exist awake and sober." This is an encouragement to the church building to be different from the world. We are to exist awake, prepared, connected to the Holy Spirit, and ready for the solar day that Jesus returns to bring judgment to our earth.
Why Would Paul Use an Analogy Like "Thief in the Night" for the 2d Coming?
Paul uses the analogy of a "thief in the night" because he wants to emphasize how disorienting Jesus' return will be for those who are "comatose" or are non Christ-followers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary says, "The coming of Christ will be a cracking surprise to men. Our Lord himself said so. Equally the 60 minutes of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both. Christ'due south coming volition exist terrible to the ungodly."
Just equally unbelievers will be surprised to notice they confront eternal judgment at the end of their lives; the world volition too be filled with terror when they realize that the systems they have depended on are at the mercy of God's judgment. The believer prepares for both eternity in Heaven besides as Jesus' 2nd coming by living a purposeful life that is surrendered to the Lord's leading. While Christ-followers may not know the mean solar day that he returns, we stand up ready because we know we have a identify in God'southward family.
What Should We Takeaway from 'Like a Thief in the Night' about Jesus' Return?
As believers, we do not have to live in fear or trepidation of the day of Jesus' render. In fact, we can hope for information technology, as with God's judgment also comes the hope of a future that includes a new Heaven and World (Revelation 21). Our calling is to be mindful of how we apply the time we are given here on Globe, to alive lives that laurels Jesus, and to exist those who lovingly speak the truth of the Gospel to the lost of the earth. Nosotros are the ones who are "awake" according to Paul (1 Thess v:6) and therefore will not be taken by surprise when Jesus comes back to Earth. In dissimilarity, the ungodly volition be entirely confused and terrified past the reality of Jesus visible on Earth once again. The world is bullheaded to the ways of God and his judgment will cause them anguish, but as a woman who experiences labor pains (1 Thess 5:3).
Where Else Does the Bible Talk about Jesus' Render?
The return of Jesus is a topic that is discussed in many different parts of the Bible. In Matthew 24, Jesus himself foretells his second coming. He tells his disciples that in that location will be many times in history when people rise up saying this is the cease just those will but be the early signs that God's judgment is coming. In the cease, only the most faithful will endure to the twenty-four hour period of this globe'due south judgment.
Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has washed." Jesus gives his disciple John a vision well-nigh what is to come, which John and so records as the volume of Revelation. This volume prophesies details about what Jesus' second coming will bring equally well as details the promise we have in Heaven with Jesus equally his followers. Titus 2:13 says, "Waiting for our blessed hope, the actualization of the glory of our cracking God and Savior Jesus Christ." Nosotros tin conceptualize the second appearance of Jesus, as God's programme to redeem his cosmos is the hope that humanity tin cling to.
These are merely a sampling of the many passages that give us a glimpse of what God'south plan is for the future of our world. One matter we know is that his timing and ways remain a mystery to humanity. Nosotros have to trust that He is faithful and will fulfill his hope to judge just ultimately redeem our world.
Matthew 25:31-46 says, "When the Son of Human comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he volition sit down on his glorious throne. Earlier him will exist gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another every bit a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, simply the goats on the left. And so the Male monarch volition say to those on his correct, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me potable, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
We can remainder assured that God has a place for us in his Kingdom but likewise the knowledge that our choices here on Earth have eternal implications should motivate the states. Jesus says that his followers are known by the way they loved and served others. We are to be the ones that feed the needy and welcome the lost into our homes. Be ready for the unexpected arrival of Jesus past existence those that love others with an unreasonable God-inspired love.
Related: Mind to our podcast, How to Study the Bible! A vailable at LifeAudio.com . Heed to the first episode here:
Photo credit:Getty Images/Tony Rowell
This article is role of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide piece of cake to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture'southward context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the significant and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
"Be However and Know that I Am God"
"Pray Without Ceasing"
"Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"
"All Things Work Together for Good"
"Do Not Fear"
Source: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-it-mean-that-god-will-return-like-a-thief-in-the-night.html
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