Paul gave an encouraging message to the Thessalonians in his first letter to them, in chapter 5. He refers to the “times and the seasons” (1), referencing the second coming of Jesus.
Teaching concerning Christ’s coming in judgment had been given by the Lord Himself. He said, “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:43-44). Paul uses the same language here in referencing Christ’s final return, noting this was a truth with which they were familiar. “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” (2).
So many ignore this truth and fail to prepare! We have an arrogance of self-sufficiency that is seldom acknowledged to be false. Young people never even entertain a thought about the possibility of their death. We all get in a 2 ton automobile, never thinking of the trauma that could be caused traveling if we were to lose control at highway speeds. No one expects to get ill until it happens, and every day when we go to bed we expect to wake up. Even though conflict is almost always with us, it is always a surprise when another war breaks out. This same oblivious manner is mirrored in our view of judgment. This is shown in Paul’s words, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (3).
But we are not to be ignorant like the world. This is the admonition we should consider carefully. “But you brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (4-6). The question we must answer then is, “How do we watch?”
It is not by predicting through events and circumstances the day that judgment will come. As Paul emphasized, we can’t know. Instead, he calls for a sober life of continued preparation. Those who are ready for the Lord are not those who guess a date correctly, but those who know that guessing is worthless. Instead they prepare immediately and remain prepared throughout their life.
As Paul concluded, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (8). He calls upon us to comfort and edify each other, knowing that edification brings maturity and ensures our successful service to the Lord (cf. 11; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25).
Knowing the inevitability of judgment, Peter added, “Since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away…” (17).
