“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (vv.1-2)
Since Christ's ascension, there's been no shortage of predictions of the year—or in some cases, the very hour—of His return. Today's reading cautions against such efforts (vv.1-3). On the other hand, believers are to be encouraged by the certainty that the Lord is coming back for His own, even if all the details of that glorious event aren't as clear as we might wish.
Paul warns that Christ’s Second Coming will come suddenly and without fanfare. Jesus’ return will be preceded by a period of divine judgment that will take the world by surprise. The phrase “the day of the Lord” appears throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament prophets, in contexts that speak of judgment.
This “day,” really refers to a series of events that includes Christ’s return and final judgment. It will come like a thief who breaks in while the homeowner is asleep. People will believe they are in a position of peace and safety, even as destruction comes upon them (v. 3).
Jesus warned that the timing of His second coming would be like the days of Noah: “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, right up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:38-39).
For the Christian that day is fulfillment of all things hoped for, for the non-Christian a day of wrath. As Peter put it, "We need to be looking for and hastening the coming of the day of the LORD for we look for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:12). Therefore, keep watch.
The Truth: “Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt. 25:13)
