In more than one instance, Jesus Christ described His coming back to earth in terms which could be understood by even the most unlearned in the audience.
This term was ALSO employed by others who reached out to even the most unlearned of men.
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
–1THESSALONIANS 5:2
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
–2PETER 3:10
As mentioned previously, Jesus Himself used this descriptive term (‘a thief in the night’) to describe His second coming to the earth.
“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
–Matthew 24:43-44
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
–Revelation 3:3
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
–Revelation 16:15
It becomes CRYSTAL CLEAR to the reader that Jesus was referring to the suddenness; the unexpectedness of His coming.
His coming (like a ‘thief in the night’) would snare the unwary of all who would NOT ‘watch’ for His return.
“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
–Mark 13:37
In his Second Epistle–after repeating this descriptive warning (originally used by Jesus Himself)–the apostle Peter then delivers his own warning.
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
The apostle Peter THEN lays out why all of this burning up of the first heaven and first earth by God MUST occur.
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
–2PETER 3:13
Though Jesus issued dozens of warnings (and God’s Word contains dozens more), His return will be seen as ‘SUDDEN’–particularly by the wicked, evil and foolish who will NOT be watching for His earthly return.
When Jesus Christ makes His return to earth, He will come quickly on the unwary.
Just like a “thief in the night.”
WILL the reader be surprised at the suddenness of Jesus’ reappearance?
It is not YET too late–although time is surely running out: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
—1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 28-30, 2022.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: freedooom, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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