Like a Thief in the Night
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 “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 and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”
We spend much time praying over our sons and daughters that they would have a heart for Jesus, an understanding of Scripture and would pursue holy living. But how often do we stop and pray that they would have an eye on the future? Sometimes it seems so far off that, although we know Jesus’ return could happen at any moment, we too easily find ourselves lulled into a mindset of ‘someday’ vs. ‘imminent’, “even today”. It should change how we live. It should determine our focus. It is the important thing by which we should prioritize our days, our choices, our lives. Yet, too often, it’s buried in the back of our minds as something that ‘might’ happen in our lifetime, but is probably unlikely because look how much time has gone by already? It’s been two thousand years. As days go on the imminence seems to lose its urgency, and isn’t that what Satan hopes will happen in the believer’s heart and mind? The Lord tells us we need to be aware and watching.
Look at current events- what do you see? Are things becoming more peaceful? Is crime becoming less prevalent? Are people caring for one another in ways that bring harmony and show kindness? Oh, governments and leaders will proclaim peace and tell us alliances are certain to assure us of the same, but Scripture tells us that’s the deception of the enemy. Satan is the Prince of the power of the air. This is his domain. He breeds chaos and pain. Matthew 24:7 says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Watch what is happening and don’t be unaware.
Sin is rampant, this world is in deep decay and Jesus is the only remedy that will change anything. Yet, scripture tells us at some point, He will return and catch up those who confess His name and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord. We call it the rapture. Some will say, “well, that word isn’t even in scripture!”. Hmmm. No, the English word is not in scripture. But the Bible wasn’t written in English. If you dig a little deeper you’ll see something very interesting in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” Those words ‘caught up’ is the word ‘harpazo’ which means “to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).” (1) It comes from the word ‘haireo’ which means “to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer, choose.” (2)
This ‘catching up’ of believers won’t come with a warning or a ‘heads up!’. That’s already been given in Thessalonians. We are told to live ready. Much like a special forces military officer lives always ready to go at a moment’s notice. Their ‘go bag’ is packed and ready so that when they get the call, they’re on their way immediately. When we get the call from Jesus, we’ll be out- in a moment, caught up and pulled out. It will be that quick. It will be unexpected. People will be caught unaware.
Matthew 24:36-44 says, ““But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Jesus is coming back. Are we keeping watch? Do we teach and encourage our sons and daughters to be alert and aware? We need to pray that our sons and daughters live in the light of Jesus return, always watching, always ready, because this world is not where we are meant to be. This is not our home, so we shouldn’t get too comfortable. Pray that our sons and daughters would have a burden to share the hope that they have in Christ with those who are spiritually dying. Pray that they are excited to see His return because that will be the moment their faith becomes sight! Can you imagine? What an amazing, breath-taking moment that will be! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
“Heavenly Father, You assure us that Jesus will return for us. You also remind us in Your Word that the day and the hour is unknown to all but You. It could happen at any moment. But I fear we lose our focus too easily and we become comfortable here. So many years believers have been waiting, and we may wait even more. But that waiting is Your kindness toward those who have yet to believe (2 Peter 3:9). I pray that You would give us a fresh excitement and anticipation for Jesus’ return. Help us always to be watching with hope, waiting while being busy for Your kingdom, eager to see Jesus but burdened for those who don’t yet know Him. Lord, I pray for (name) today. Don’t let them live unaware. Remind them of the promises in Scripture that tell us this is not our home. Stir them to action and cause them to think about what they choose to say and do- would it please Jesus if He returned to find them doing it? Lord, affirm to us, even today, that You are working and that Jesus return is near. Don’t let us grow dull. Don’t allow us to become desensitized to the urgency. Lord, we long for that moment when our faith will become sight- I pray that (name) would long for that too! Lord Jesus, come quickly!”
Pray without ceasing.
Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or are you unsure of what you believe? Do you know where you will spend eternity or are you just hoping for the best?
If you have questions or would like to know more, please reach out! I would be happy to share the hope you can find in Jesus and point you to what He says in Scripture that gives confidence in His plan for our lives.
G726 - harpazō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g726/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G138 - haireō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g138/niv/mgnt/0-1/