THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME
1Thessalonians 5:1-2 “Now, brothers and sisters, 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.”
After encouraging the Thessalonians with the promise of Christ’s return, Paul turns from what will happen to when it will happen. His answer is clear. GOD HASN’T GIVEN US A DATE.
Paul says the day of the Lord will come “LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.” His point isn’t that Christ is somehow like a thief, but that His coming will be unexpected. A thief doesn’t announce the date and time of his arrival. In the same way, the world won’t receive a timetable that lets everyone prepare at the last moment.
Jesus taught the same truth. He said, “But about that day or hour no one knows” (Matthew 24:36). Yet throughout church history, people have repeatedly tried to calculate dates for Christ’s return. Some have claimed special revelation from God. Others have searched biblical numbers, world events, wars, political developments, and natural disasters trying to determine when He will come. Again and again, their predictions have failed. OUR RESPONSIBILITY ISN’T TO CALCULATE THE DATE, IT IS TO BE READY.
For the unbeliever, the day of the Lord should be a serious warning. God’s judgment is coming, and today is the day to repent and believe the gospel. For those who belong to Christ, His return should produce hope, faithfulness, and a desire to live in obedience to Him.
The question isn’t, “Can I work out when Jesus will return?” The better question is, “Am I living faithfully if He returns today?”
We don’t know when Christ will come, but we do know that He will. Until then, let’s remain faithful, proclaim the gospel, pursue holiness, and live every day ready to meet our Lord.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that Jesus Christ will return. Keep me from becoming distracted by speculation, predictions, and attempts to determine what You have chosen not to reveal. Help me instead to live faithfully, pursue holiness, share the gospel, and remain ready for the coming of Christ. May I be found faithfully serving You whenever that day comes. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Have a wonderful weekend. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
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