Thief in the Night!


     Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 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.
     But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

A “thief in the night” came to my house almost forty years ago. He came, found the things he wanted and left without disturbing our sleep. But after we found the evidence of his intrusion my sleep was disturbed for many subsequent nights. I would dream about waking up to find him coming through my window.

Before the thief came I slept well. It was only after, that I was literally upset to the point of occasional panic.

The Bible says the return of Jesus will be like a “thief in the night.” The world sleeps peacefully unaware that everything is about to change forever. Are there signs that Jesus will soon come? Of course there are. There are many signs that clearly fulfill Bible prophecies about the time prior to the return of Jesus. The signs are not going to be recognized by those who have no faith, they are for the faithful.

When you go to the airport to meet a loved one returning from a long trip you stand and watch the horizon waiting for the plane. You know the plane is coming and you know your loved one will be on the plane, but you never know the exact moment of touchdown until it happens.

We stand at the end of the runway looking for Jesus and we know that the “signs of the times” scream “the Lord is coming.” We do not know the exact moment Jesus will return, but the turmoil of the times clearly heralds His coming!

For the skeptics I ask this question: If we are wrong and this time only looks like the time just before the return of Jesus what harm is done by expecting Jesus to appear? Is this a sin? Expecting Jesus on a day He does not return is not a tragedy. Not expecting Jesus on the day He does return is the ultimate tragedy.

Wake up and look up!