The Thief in the Night

Paul goes on to declare that this teaching [of the rapture] should bring every believer great comfort. This truth should be a reason for gathering together in fellowship as we look forward to its fulfillment. It should encourage us to implore others to accept the gospel so as to be able to be part of this great ingathering. We should desire the coming of that day and encourage one another to live so as to be prepared and not ashamed at His coming. It should also be a truth that causes us to approach the Lord in prayer and personal communion regarding how best to serve Him as we look forward to this time of transformation and going to be with our Savior.

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that they had been taught that the day of the Lord, the time of God’s wrath, would come like a thief in the night with sudden destruction. He even compares it to a woman who suddenly finds herself overcome by labor pains. Then he states a very important truth.

1Th. 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

I think this is direct reference to the teaching that the Lord gave the disciples as recorded in Matthew 24. Jesus had clearly instructed His disciples regarding the signs that would precede His coming to earth to establish His kingdom. In that discourse He describes the time preceding His coming as one of such tribulation as has never been experienced on planet earth. Paul had been given revelation concerning the deliverance of believers from that time of wrath and had been faithful to instruct the churches accordingly. The key seems to be that the signs will be clear and you should be expecting to be taken home before that time of wrath begins. The beginning of this time of wrath is specifically identified in Revelation.

Rev. 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?