The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night

(1 Thessalonians 5:2b). The phrase “the Day of the Lord” is used in Scripture for any eminent manifestation of God, either in works of mercy or judgment. In the New Testament it is most often describes the Day of Judgement (Matthew 12:36), and/or the second coming of Christ (see Acts 1:11). In context, it seems to refer to what is commonly called the rapture to whit “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (4:16, 17).  There is much to say about these events which are often referred to as the end times, and there is much dispute. What is clear, is one way or the other we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ both the saved and the unsaved. And anyone anyone not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 13:8).  There is no way to sugar coat this.

Paul uses these truths to motive us to be children of the day, children of light. “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober”(i.e. vigilant,  self controlled – verses 5, 6), putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation so  that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (verses 8-10).  We should live with Him and for Him. The World is watching. Elsewhere Paul tells us that we are the “fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” He adds “And who is sufficient for these things” (2 Corinthians 2:15, 16). Who is sufficient indeed. When I think that my life, my actions and my attitudes might be the cause of someone rejecting Christ and finish up in hell, I can be overwhelmed. Many who are turned off Christ, by Christians, and I don't want to be one who does this.

Also, we are not appointed to wrath (verse 9), but we cannot be presumptuous:-  “God will forgive me that is His job.”  There are some very inconvenient truth for those who put off living for Christ. For  “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,  but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Hebrews 10:26,27).  And the Day of the Lord  will come  suddenly when we least expect it “like a thief in the night” (verse 2).  We also need to realize that “he who sins is the slave of sin” (John 8:34), and that repentance is granted (2 Timothy 2:25), so don't bank on being able to have a deathbed repentance.

Father, with Paul I am sensing that You are using my meditation this morning to “warn every man and teach every man, so that each of us may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus on that Day (Colossians 1:28). Search our hearts oh God,  grant us repentance were necessary and lead us in paths of life,  and we will give you the glory in Jesus Name Amen