1 Thessalonians 5:4 – As a thief in the night?

Now you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you as a thief.

In the foregoing, Paul had written to the Thessalonians about the great view of those who believe. At the sound of the trumpet all in Christ (deceased or still alive) will be snatched away and meet the Lord in the air. Nowhere do we read about such an expectation among Israel’s prophets.

Paul did not find it necessary to inform them further about the times and occasions. Because the Thessalonians knew very well that this day would come if one called “peace and security”. Just then that day will overtake them like a thief in the night. Or like the labor pains a pregnant woman. Paul refers to “the great tribulation” that will come when the sacrificial service in the temple square in Jerusalem will be replaced by an idol. Then the promising sham peace is over …

What Paul says is: that day will overtake them (the world) like a thief in the night. But believers who walk in the light will not. After all, they know that when the world is calm and optimistic, the countdown can begin for us. Let us therefore be “sober and watching” (: 5: 6).

Delen: