Unexpected but Welcome

Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. –I Thessalonians 5:1-4

Paul tells the Thessalonians they do not need to be instructed on the times. In Matthew and Luke, as well as the teachings of Peter, it had been told that the second coming would occur like a “thief in the night.” This term indicates that the return of the Lord will be unexpected and unwelcome just like a burglar breaking into a person’s house. The imagery is negative, but only to those who are outside the Church.

Paul is seeking to reassure the Thessalonians. Some kind of tragedy had befallen them since his departure – possibly an unexpected death in their fellowship. Their circumstances would have seemed the more trying because of the relative peace of enjoyed by the heathens around them. As the Church they were God’s people, but seldom do God’s people appear to be blessed with outward security. Paul wants them to know that the real danger is not in the present with death and persecution, but in the future with the return of Christ. The security of the wicked is in the darkness that covers their acts, but with the coming of Lord Jesus, that cover will be removed and they will be punished for what they are.

The second coming is portrayed negatively as a thief because it will be negative for those who do not know the returning king, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Death can be frightful but it should never cause us to doubt the goodness that will be ours in that day. Jesus will come unexpectedly but he will not be unwelcome by us. With his coming every evil vestige of the fall will be overturned giving us joy which we cannot now imagine. We have been told what will happen when Jesus returns, we are not ignorant – we are not in the dark. Only those who love the darkness will be disturbed by the bearer of light. We walk in the light, therefore our earnest expectation should be for the permanent banishment of the darkness – and that expectation will be realized.