Tag: thief in the night
Sudden and unexpected!
Scripture reading for August 18th: Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24
Matthew 24: 40-44 “Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Jesus was responding to the questions of His disciples following the last supper and on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. They had wanted to know when the temple would be destroyed and what would be the signs of His return and the end of the age. Jesus warned them that His return would be sudden and unexpected by most people. It would come like a thief in the night. It would be like a bolt of lightning that would light up the sky from east to west! They must stay alert and watchful. No one would know so all would be called to live by faith.
Psalm 10:16-18 “The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land. O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the warnings and promises of Scripture. Help me to stay alert and awake so that the ‘thief’ does not plunder my household, my children and grandchildren. Give me power in prayer and holy living to help them and all you send me to prepare for Your soon and sure return and the final judgment. Have mercy on the unbeliever through Your Gospel message.
Micah 4:6-7 “In that day, declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forever more.”
Patience for repentance!
Scripture reading for November 18th: 2nd Peter 3, Psalm 87-88, Proverbs 14
Key Scriptures: 2nd Peter 3:8-10 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
As the Apostle Peter concludes his last letter before being martyred, he pointed the church to God’s long-suffering and mercy. Although it seemed that the Lord was slow concerning His promise of returning, God was really being patient with all men, not wanting any to perish. They should call on the Lord while His patience remained (repentance), because a day was coming when there would be His sudden return. To the unrepentant, it would be like a thief and would bring great destruction on the heaven and earth and eternal loss for them.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and great patience towards sinners, of which I have benefited. Use me today to share the good news of Your patience and desire to save those who are perishing, headed for eternal death.
Proverbs 14:11-12 “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
The times and seasons.
Scripture reading for September 18th: Ecclesiastes 2-4, 1st Thessalonians 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 5:1-4 “Now concerning the times and the 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 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.”
Paul encouraged the believers concerning the times and seasons. They were in a period of grace that could end at any time with the coming of the Lord Jesus. This coming would be like a “thief in the night” to the world but not to the church family of Jesus! We are children of light and are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; . .”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me aware of the times and seasons that are here and coming soon. Help me to make the most of my time here for You and Your coming kingdom. Amen.
Maintaining watchfulness!
Scripture reading for February 3rd: Matthew 24
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 24:42-44 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Fathers and husbands are expected to be protectors of their homes and families. Prudence in protecting in our day is to have security cameras and alarms installed on or around the doors and windows. Some even have cell phones connected that dial their number when suspicious activity is detected from their home. Jesus also was concerned about protection of the precious souls of men and women! He encouraged a watchfulness from each person over their own souls against the intrusions of the ‘thief’, who would come to ‘kill, steal, and destroy.’ (John 10:10)
Jesus also likened His own second coming to that of the ‘thief’, who came at an unexpected hour! Only those who were ready and watching would receive Jesus as He returned. Some of those expecting to be part of Christ’s kingdom would not be ready and would be left out, having missed the window of opportunity. This happened to those warned of the flood in Noah’s time and would again at Christ’s return. (Matthew 24:37-39) This would be the ultimate eternal loss!
Observations for over-comers: It pays to be watchful! No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return so true believers choose to stay in readiness! “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach Him.” (Psalm 32:6)
God is faithful!
Scripture reading for September 18th: 1st Thessalonians 5
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1st Thessalonians 5:1-2) Paul concluded his letter to the young believers with a final reminder about the coming of Jesus Christ. He repeated the teaching of Jesus about no one knowing the day or the hour. (Matthew 24:36, 43-44) In fact, people would be thinking that everything was normal when the Lord would suddenly return like a thief in the night. The return of Christ requires watchfulness and readiness on the part of His Church!
“So then, let us not be like others, who sleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1st Thessalonians 5:6-9) God appointed His people for salvation from His coming wrath upon sinners who refuse repentance. Those who continue to sin, live in darkness. The Church lives in the light of Christ and His word.
“May God Himself, the god of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1st Thessalonians 5:23-24) Paul’s final prayer is for the believers complete sanctification. Jesus will complete in us what He began!
Watchman, what is left of the night?
Scripture reading for July 23rd: Isaiah 21-23
Prophets in the Old Testament were often likened to watchmen. Watchmen were stationed on the city wall to give early warning of approaching danger or enemy attack. They also functioned as an alarm clock to the people of the city. They kept track of the time and announced the arrival of a new day. When someone awoke in the night, they could call out to the watchman on duty and inquire about the time.
“Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.” (Isaiah 21:11-12)
In our day, many are asleep and living in darkness. They don’t know what time it is prophetically and are unaware of the danger of the coming time. Those who are aware of the coming day, listen for the watchman! They know the signs of the times. They prepare for the coming day and the coming of the Son!
The question: “What is left of the night?” is applicable today! The disciples of Jesus asked Him when He would come and what would be the signs of His coming and the end of the age. (Matthew 24:3) Jesus Christ taught that no man would know the day or the hour of His coming again. (Matthew 24:38) He also taught that many would be unprepared! (Matthew 24:37-41) His coming would be like a “thief in the night” and many would be unprepared! (Matthew 24:42-44)
The watchman’s answer was revealing: “The morning is coming, also the night”. Many today are not aware that the “day” that is coming will be “night” for them! They are living in perpetual darkness and are not ready for the arrival of the “Son”. They are living in deception and are in danger of being cast into outer darkness for eternity! Are you ready today? Today is a day of mercy if you will repent and turn to the Lord, the great “Watchman” of our souls!
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14-15)
Beware! Be Ready!
Scripture reading for October 11th: Matthew 24-25
As they left the temple, Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:2-5)
Deception will be a mark of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The world we live in today is full of counterfeit religions and numerous cults that claim that they are the only way to God. Even in the church, there are numerous false teachers who are deceptive and seductive. In addition, Jesus pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations. There would also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and great distress. Persecution of Christians would result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people would be common. Many would turn away from following Jesus and their love for God grow cold. (Matthew 24:6-13)
Jesus emphatically taught that no one would know the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36) It would be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world away. It would be like a thief coming suddenly at night. It would be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil. Jesus would come back at a time when He was least expected!
To illustrate this point, Jesus told two parables. The first concerned ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were foolish and five others were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil for them. The wise took oil along for their lamps and were ready. The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep. The midnight cry of the bridegroom woke them when he arrived. But only the wise were prepared and went with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The foolish were late and missed the party! In fact, they were shut out in outer darkness!
Are you prepared? May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to prepare yourself and your family! The trumpet could sound at any time!
Beware! Be Ready!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Matthew 24-25
These chapters of Matthew contain the last major teaching of Jesus to his disciples as recorded by this Gospel writer. Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another at the temple. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:2-5)
It appears that deception will be a mark of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The world we live in today is full of counterfeit religions and numerous cults that claim that they are the only way to God. Even in the church, there are numerous false teachers who are deceptive and seductive. In addition, there are other signs of the end of the age mentioned by Jesus. He pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations. There will also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and the world will be in great distress. Persecution of Christians will result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people will be common. Many will turn away from following Jesus and their love for God will grow cold. (Matthew 24:6-13)
As far as when this will take place, Jesus had a different warning. There will surely be much deception and false teachers will abound, but Jesus emphatically taught that no one will know the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36) It will be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world of that time away. It will be like a thief coming to a house suddenly at night. It will be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil. The point of these illustrations is that each person must be in a state of readiness at all times. Jesus is coming back at a time when we least expect it.
To illustrate this point, Jesus then told two parables. The first, which we will discuss, was about the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. The virgins consisted of five who were foolish and five others who were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil for them. The wise took oil along for their lamps and were ready. The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep. The midnight cry woke them up to prepare for his arrival. Only the wise were prepared and got to go with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The foolish were late and missed the party!
Our Lord just emphasized the need to be read and prepared for the immanent coming of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. He could come at any time. Are you prepared? Is your lamp burning bright and have you purchased plenty of oil? May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to get ready!