1 Thessalonians 5:1-4

5   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. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ^[1]

The Apostle Paul sincerely believed that Jesus would return during his lifetime. That belief fueled much of what he wrote causing many misinterpretations of his theology over the centuries. Obviously Jesus did not return but he still waited, as do we. Over the course of time there have been many attempts to predict when he would return giving rise to all sorts of tragedies when the predictions proved false. Why would people want to predict when Jesus is to return? Perhaps so they can be certain to be ready at the appointed time while they continue to live the lives that please them. It is rather like how some tend to wait to the last moment to pack before a trip or cram before an exam.

These are two different attitudes toward the return of Jesus, and only one of them makes sense. Paul never predicted the return of Jesus, but rather lived his life as though he was going to return at any moment. This other view is somewhat like playing Russian roulette; the click of the chamber without an accompanying explosion gives one a false sense of confidence. No, I prefer to stand with Paul and be ready. He tells his readers that the return of Jesus will come like a thief in the night. No one expects their home to be broken into, even if they live in a high crime area. So to protect themselves from such an eventuality they take precautions. They get a big dog with a loud bark, an alarm system, security cameras, and bars on the doors and windows, and steel doors. All of these things may give the resident confidence but they do not guarantee defense against a determined thief and so are surprised when they have their homes broken into.

We are to take precautions to prepare ourselves for the return of our Lord and King, but we will not be any more able to predict when he will come than a resident can predict when a thief will break in. The difference is that we should not be surprised when He comes because we have lived our lives in expectation of his imminent return. The saints of old, in my community, should to say, “I’ve got my ticket in my hand and I’m ready to go.” Such was not so much an expression of longing as of readiness. They were saying that whenever the midnight train comes they were ready to get on board. What can we say?

Lord, We want to be ready to go with You when you return. Convict us by Your Holy Spirit of those things in our lives that pose obstacles to our readiness, and give us courage to release them to You. It is in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.