![]() Well, surely it would help to prepare for the return of Christ if you know when that was going to be. And the reason, you’ll understand, makes sense. And specifically you’re going to see in the first three verses of this passage the Thessalonians are interested in trying to nail down the timing of Christ's return. ![]() The question is, “How do you prepare for the return of Christ?” The Thessalonians want to know. Today the question has to do still with the return of Christ but it's a little bit different. And the apostle Paul comforts the Thessalonians with tremendous Biblical truths, some that have come directly from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in that passage. What is their state? They are immediately present with the Lord. Last time as we were looking at 1 Thessalonians 4 the question had to do with, “What happens to believers who die before Jesus’ return? What is the status of believers who die before that final day, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ?” And we were able to look at Paul's teaching there and learn tremendous comfort for all of us who lose loved ones before the return of Christ. But in these passages especially he is specifically addressing the matter of the return of Christ. We've said all along our theme in the study of this letter has been, “Living Life in Light of Jesus’ Return,” to everything that Paul has said to us, everything he's encouraged us with, everything he's exhorted us to do, has been in light of the coming of the Lord Jesus. As you’re turning there, let me remind you that at the end of 1 Thessalonians 4 and in these first verses of chapter 5, Paul is addressing specifically the issue of the return of Christ. If you have your Bibles, I'd invite you to turn with me to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 as we continue our way through this letter of the apostle Paul. ![]() Only those who are indifferent or spiritually asleep will be caught by surprise when the thief in the night appears.“Living Life in Light of Jesus’ Return: A Thief in the Night” Those who are spiritually awake when the Lord returns will be blessed. It's a warning to always be ready at any time for the King of Kings to return for His church. I think Jesus was telling us to stay spiritually awake and to continually watch for the signs of His return, so we don't find ourselves left behind, facing the horrors of the tribulation. I always wondered what Jesus meant by " blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments" but now it makes perfect sense. 'Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments. Hence the admonition to us who, as it were, are here on Temple guard. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire–punishment, as we know, actually awarded. On his approach, the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. ![]() In chapter 7 of his book, "The Temple", Alfred Edersheim wrote:ĭuring the night, the 'captain of the Temple' made his rounds. If he caught one sleeping, he would use his torch to singe the guard's clothing. To ensure that the guards were alert and stayed awake throughout the night, the temple guard (otherwise known as the "thief in the night") would sneak around, checking on those who were guarding the temple. You see, the Jewish temple would be guarded at night by priests. But we can only fully understand the meaning of this warning if we know the history behind it. The use of this phrase in scripture is meant as a stern warning for those of us who are living in the last days. Some have documented that "the thief in the night" referred to the high priest of Israel. The phrase " like a thief in the night" may seem like an odd statement to us, but it's actually an ancient Jewish idiom that refers to the captain of the temple guard. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 ESV). The apostle Paul wrote " Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Otherwise, He'll come like a thief when they would be unaware of His coming. Jesus told the spiritually sleeping church of Sardis to wake up and be watchful.
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