Jesus Like a Thief

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  
 
PERHAPS in each generation since Jesus’ time on earth, there have been people who have said, “The troubles of our world is a sure sign Jesus is coming soon. We are in the last days.” Jesus’ church wants to meet the Lord! We are impatient to know, “When, Lord?” The apostles wanted to know, too, as Jesus prepared to ascend: Acts 1:6-7 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” As much as we’d like to witness this remarkable event right now, we must patiently await the Father’s timing to complete his will to be done on earth. In the meantime, all Christians must continue to work for God’s kingdom, giving hope to one another and warning to the unbelievers.
   These verses are a warning. Throughout the Bible the phrase the day of the Lord refers mainly to the Lord’s day of judgment. This is the day of victory for his kingdom and destruction of his enemies. Paul even compares Jesus to a thief in the night. How is Jesus a thief?
   A thief threatens a household. Jesus’ return as Judge threatens the unrepentant. Destruction will come upon them suddenly. None of God’s enemies will escape: 2 Peter 3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
   The Father has a plan to save those he has chosen from eternity past. Jesus promised in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There are still unreached people groups to receive the gospel. And we don’t know how many generations are still to be reached. Perhaps we are near the end. Maybe not. What we do know is that Jesus has taught the gospel. The Spirit has awakened us to believe the gospel. The Son has commanded us to make disciples of all nations. The warning, the promise and the commandment are sure.