1 Thessalonians 5:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

NIV: for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

NASB: For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.

CSB: For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

NLT: For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

KJV: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

NKJV: For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

The Thessalonian believers realized the day of the Lord would begin unexpectedly, like the arrival of a thief at night. No one looks forward to a thief's invasion, so this reference is not likely a mention of the rapture. The rapture is a hopeful, welcome event, whereas the arrival of a thief is a frightful, unwelcome event. A thief comes to steal, whereas Jesus comes at the rapture to give. He gives Christians glorified bodies, a blessed reunion, and the joy of seeing him face to face (1 Corinthians 15:51–54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 John 3:2).

We must not think Paul's reference to the day of the Lord's coming "like a thief in the night" means that day will arrive during a literal, solar night. The comparison is not to the timing of the day of the Lord's arrival but, rather, to its manner of arrival. This era will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly. Divine judgment will catch unbelievers off-guard. They will be surprised by the sudden arrival of God's wrath.

First Thessalonians 5:1–11 informs believers about the day of the Lord. This phrase refers both to the moment of the rapture as well as the seven-year tribulation period that follows the rapture. The passage assures us that believers will not experience the tribulation. The day of the Lord will commence unexpectedly, like the arrival of a thief at night. It is described as a time of darkness with dreadful consequences. Unbelievers, identified as those who belong to the night, will be overtaken by destruction. But believers are, symbolically, of the day not the night. They are not the objects of God's wrath, but are destined to receive a full rescue from the day of God's wrath. In view of their exemption from the day of the Lord, believers ought to encourage and edify one another.

First Thessalonians chapter 5 reiterates that the rapture will occur quickly, catching the unbelieving world unprepared. In contrast, Paul presents faithful Christians as those who are aware and ready for this event. This passage uses the contrast of day versus night to highlight those differences. Paul also completes his letter by offering various practical instructions. These include the need to be peaceful, hardworking, and forgiving. He also commends constant prayer and an attitude of joyfulness, before closing his letter with a command for this letter to be read aloud.

The end of chapter 4 discussed the nature of the rapture: a sudden, physical ''taking away'' of believers from the earth. Here, Paul continues to refer to this event's sudden and dramatic nature. A key analogy used in this passage is that of daytime versus darkness, and the concept of being awake and alert. As with many of Paul's letters, practical instructions make up the bulk of his closing statements. In particular, Paul adds a command that this letter be read aloud among all of the people of the Thessalonian church.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.

Accessed 11/24/2024 8:15:00 AM