A Thief in the Night

The term, thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10) is a popular one.

This phrase is used by Christians to describe the second coming of Jesus Christ. The indication is that Jesus will return at any given time and that nobody – believer or unbeliever – will know the time of His coming, which is true.

Well, almost true.

The true part is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3:

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.

What the apostle Paul teaches in this passage is that men and women will be going about their ordinary, daily business as they have always done, without a clue that judgment is coming upon the earth. They will be working, shopping, taking the kids to school, going to the movies, watching their favorite TV programs, and engaging in every normal activity common in society. However, they will be ignorant to the fact that the Lord has already determined the time of His judgment to begin on sinful man, and hence will not be ready for it.

The term thief in the night is akin to saying caught off guard. In other words, thieves usually break into homes during the night (or in the early morning hours when it is still dark), when the home's occupants are asleep. Those who live in the house have no idea that a thief has broken in. Had they any inkling that a thief would be visiting them that very night, they would have stayed awake, cell phones in hand ready to dial 9-1-1, and their possessions would not fall prey to intruders.

However, most people don't know when a thief is coming, hence they sleep while their house is robbed.

This is what will happen at Christ's second coming: unbelievers will not be expecting it, and before they know it, they will be carried off into judgment before a holy and righteous God.

Though this is the case for unbelievers, it is not the scenario for believers, who will not be caught off guard. In other words, the Lord will NOT come like a thief in the night for Christians.

How do we know this?

Let's return to the 1 Thessalonians 5 passage. Verses 4 and 5 say: 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 (emphasis added).

To put it another way, Christians will not be surprised by Christ's return. They will not be able to forecast the exact day and time of His return, but they will know the general time frame.

Jesus clearly teaches this in what is known as His Olivet Discourse of Matthew chapters 24 and 25. While speaking to His disciples about the end times and His second coming, Jesus says: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (Matthew 24:32-33).

What does this mean?

The Lord's teaching is unmistakably clear. The fig tree was a time indicator. When its branches became soft and it put forth leaves, the Jewish people knew summer was getting close, but they did not know the exact day on which summer would officially arrive. The fig tree was a sign of approximation. Likewise, when the events which will signal the end of the age begin (described in Matthew 24:4-28), Christians at that time WILL know that Christ's coming is near. Very near. Right around the corner, in fact.

On the day Christ returns, He will gather to Himself the Church in what is known as the Rapture. The word rapture is not found in the Bible. Instead, the word comes from the concept which is taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (emphasis added).

This being caught up with Christ refers to His taking the Church – His bride (Revelation 19:7) – out of the earth and bringing us to our heavenly abode with Him, an abode He has already prepared for us in advance (John 14:2-4).

But what of unbelievers at the time of the Rapture? What will become of them?

For some, there will be salvation. They will witness the Rapture, and at last realize that what they have been told for years but have refused to believe – that Jesus would one day come for His own – is indeed true. They will see the error of their ways and give their lives to Christ.

The vast majority, however, will stubbornly refuse to accept (Revelation 9:20-21) what is the obvious truth: That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world and that spiritual salvation can come only through Him.

Both groups of those left on earth following the Rapture will be caught unaware by Christ's coming. To them, Jesus will return as a thief in the night. Some, however, will fall to their knees in repentance. Others – the vast majority – will curse God.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then let today be your day of salvation. Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, sparing you the fate of being caught like a thief in the night on the day Christ comes to gather to Himself those who are His.

Marv Rosenthal, founder and President of Zion's Hope, has been an acclaimed international Bible teacher for more than five decades.