Coming As a Thief in the Night 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Paul the apostle knew the Thessalonian church members were aware of “the times and the seasons”, and although they did, he wrote about them anyway. In chapter five and verse two of his letter, Paul continued sharing about “the times and the seasons” as he reminded them of how “the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” where we read:

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

The verse begins, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then and verily” “yourselves” which refers to the Thessalonians “know perfectly” or “see, perceive, notice, discern and have discovered exactly, accurately and diligently” “that the day” which means “the last day of this present age, the day Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, and perfect his kingdom” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. This “day” or final, perfect, accurate and exact “day” belongs in particular to “the Lord”, and no one will be able to impede or alter it in any fashion.

The verse goes on to say, “... so comes as a thief in the night.” Paul went on to add, “so comes” or “appears, arises, shows itself and becomes established” “as a thief” which means “an embezzler or pilferer” “in the night” which refers to “when the work ceases”. Like a robber and thief who shows up at a time when it is not expected, “the day of the Lord” will certainly come.

When we think through Paul's words, we see how the Thessalonians understood not only “the day of the Lord” but also the manner in which it would come. When Jesus gave his discourse on this subject in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty-four and verses forty-two through forty-four he said:

“Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.”

Paul reemphasized this point with the Thessalonians, and his words are a great reminder to us. This “day of the Lord” will come suddenly and without warning just like a thief when he clandestinely takes things that do not belong to him. We must be aware. The Lord could come at any time, and his day could be within the next few minutes, hours, days, weeks or years. We are benefitted greatly by knowing this and obeying Jesus' word – to “watch”.

Next time Paul shares what happens when they say “peace and safety”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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