In the stillness of the night, a thief silently enters your home. As you lie asleep, unaware of the danger lurking nearby, he gathers your valuables, ensuring he makes no noise.
The darkness grants him the cover he needs to slip away undetected. When morning arrives, you awaken to find everything seemingly in order, oblivious that a stranger invaded your house while you were completely unaware.
The Bible encourages Christians to remain watchful for Jesus’s return and discern the signs that herald this event.
False teachers wrongly claim that we cannot know when Jesus will return. They misinterpret the Gospels, where Jesus clearly states that he will return like a thief at night. It’s important to recognize this misleading teaching for what it is.
This concept gained popularity in books and movies known as Left Behind. It is a fable and theory not grounded in the Bible.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction
2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Matthew 7:5 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
When Jesus addressed His disciples, they had yet to receive the Holy Spirit or experience the gift of salvation.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
When you possess the Spirit of truth, He serves as your guide, leading you to a deeper understanding of all truths. This divine presence reveals the essence of what is true and provides insights into future events, preparing you for what lies ahead.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
All scripture is God-breathed and never contradicts itself. So whatever Paul said will not contradict what Jesus said.
1 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul teaches that Jesus’ return will be like a thief in the night, but this only applies to those who live in darkness. He emphasizes that Christians, who are children of the day and light, will be aware of Jesus’ return if they remain watchful.
Paul advises all Christians who are in the light to be vigilant so they can recognize Jesus’ return. For those believers who are actively observing the signs of His coming, He will not return like a thief in the night. Instead, He will surprise only those who dwell in darkness and are not paying attention to the signs. Therefore, be a watcher!
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 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.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the “children of light”, and the “children of the day”: are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but LET US WATCH and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read more at: This is the End of the World, How Should You be living? (transformedbythetruth.com)
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