But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 KJV)

 

I was recently listening to a very popular Christian teacher who was talking on the subject of the Rapture. The statement was made several times that one of the major reasons why he would never have believed the Harold Camping and his May 21st followers was because the Bible tells us that He will come as a thief in the night. In other words no man will know or even expect his coming. It will be a surprise! Whether the statement was meant to be literal or an over emphasis to make his point I do not know.

 

Either way I would like to remind us all that Jesus plainly made known to us what will be the sign [s] of the end that would precede His return. (Matthew 24) Repeatedly, Jesus told of the increasing deception that will come in the Last Days. He commanded us to watch and stay alert so we would not be deceived and get caught off guard.

 

We must remember to distinguish between non-believers and His Bride. The question at hand is will Jesus come "like a thief in the night" to the church (Israel)? It seems like that was what was being insinuated in the teaching.

We simply have to keep reading this passage to find that this is totally incorrect.

Paul, wrote that, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" when reminding the Thessalonians of his previous instructions to them about the Second Coming. Here is what Paul wrote.

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).

When Paul says, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night," notice that he is referring to "people," "them," and "they," Paul is making a distinction between the believers and the unbelievers. Consider what Paul says to the believers in verse four -

"But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief." He is telling them that the Day of the Lord will not surprise the believers, because they know what will happen first. On the other hand, Christ's return on the Day of the Lord will surprise the unbelieving world.

Isn't this what Jesus is alluding to that the Church (Israel) will know the general time of Messiah's return if it is watching? Jesus said,

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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42-44).

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Luke 12:39-40).

Again, in Revelation, Jesus reminds and warns His followers that if they do not stay awake, His return will surprise them like a thief..

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you (Revelation 3:3).

"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed" (Revelation 16:15

Believers will be aware of the general time of Christ's return but unbelievers will be caught off guard when Jesus Christ returns to earth "like a thief in the night." Therefore, don't let anyone deceive you in any way many signs will occur before Jesus Christ returns to gather up His Bride.

 

I'm not interested in becoming the next Harold Camping but if the coming of the Lord catches you by surprise, you will be treated as an unbeliever.

 

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13).