Jesus is Coming #1680

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:1–4, NKJV)

Then, as now, people want to know when Jesus will return. They want to know the designated time and occasion of this great event. Some even predict when Christ will return. All these predictions have failed, and all will continue to fail. Christians who trust the word of God do not fret about when the Lord will come. We know He will come unexpectedly. Just as a thief does not break into a home when the homeowner is watching, Jesus will return when least expected. His return will be sudden, without warning. Like the onset of labor pains from which there is no escape, we will not elude the sudden return of Jesus and the events that transpire on the day of the Lord. Christians remain ready for that day by living holy lives (2 Pet. 3:11, 14). Sinners are not ready, but the gospel calls sinners to repent and obey – to get ready for that day. Why? Because sudden destruction waits the unprepared. Are you ready?

The Day of the Lord #657

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV)

Not a few have tried to predict when Jesus will return. To date, all have failed, and we have no reason to doubt that record will remain unbroken. This is not to say the Lord will not return; He certainly will. But, since He will come like a thief comes – suddenly and without warning – no one on earth knows when it will happen (see 1 Thess. 5:1-3; Matt. 25:13). When Jesus does return the material world will be consumed in an instant. His return will not herald a paradisiacal earth, for “the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up”. The impending destruction of this world is our incentive to “holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Belief in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ compels us to be prepared by diligently following Him each day. Are you ready for the day of the Lord?