It took me a while to get this done. Someone asked another question which I hope to address soon.
I Thessalonians 5:1-3 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Why does Paul tell the Thessalonians that they have no need for Paul to write to them about the times (chronos) and seasons (kairos)? They already knew these things because Paul taught them prophecy when he was with them for six months. He taught new believers about prophecy. This contrasts sharply with how pastors today skip the very in-depth prophecy teaching in our churches. Many people cannot even get their questions answered clearly when they ask their pastors and church leaders. I believe this is why the church is so unaware and apathetic about evangelism. If you were frequently being reminded that your boss was coming soon, wouldn't you get things ship-shape at work? The same applies to teaching prophecy. If you are continually reminded the Lord is coming soon by learning prophecy, you want to warn others to prepare for His coming.
As a young Christian, I was actually taught that the Rapture is what is being referred to as a thief in the night. I wondered why something good (Jesus coming for His bride) was being called something bad (a thief in the night). The distinction made below is important. When we realize how the unsaved will be caught off guard and will be left with no way out, we have a stronger desire to evangelize...
“The 'thief' idea in relation to a coming of Christ is used seven times and only in the New Testament (Matt 24:43, Luke 12:39, I Thes 5:2, 4, 2 Peter 3:10, Rev 3:3, 16:15)... The thief in the night imagery never applies to the rapture. Such language usually is descriptive of unbelievers and God's wrath or judgment related to the tribulation or second coming. The picture painted by a thief in the night shows it is the unbeliever who is caught off guard since he never really believes God is going to judge in history. The unbeliever thinks he has gotten away with ignoring God all his life, therefore, the Lord is a non-factor, he thinks. The point of the Bible is: “Boy is he in for a big surprise one day.' Just like an individual who is robbed by a thief. When one is robbed, it is an event that disrupts the normal status of coming home every day in the past to a house that is as it should be. Like the slothful student who is never ready for the exam, and therefore, caught off guard when it actually comes, so the unbeliever will never be ready since he either does not believe God at all or does not believe that God will ever hold him accountable. ” -Thomas Ice A Thief in the Night pre-trib.org
We know this is the unsaved's reaction by the words "when they shall say" which means "while they say." This is a distinct change from the word “you” (meaning the Church) which is used in the first part of the verse. The imagery of a thief in the night will be the reaction of the unsaved world after the Church has been snatched away by our Groom. You can't call Jesus a thief because He isn't stealing. He is coming for His rightful bride. A thief in the night is not the view of the Church because we will be experiencing great joy. It is not only we, the Church that will be taken. The opportunity for the unsaved to repent and escape the Tribulation will suddenly end. And, let's assign blame in the correct place. It is their rebellion that causes them to lose the opportunity to escape the Tribulation. Right now, salvation is a free gift.
“then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child”
Childbirth is a process that comes at the right time. Once it starts, generally speaking, it cannot be stopped. When the birth pangs start, they increase with intensity and frequency. That is what will overtake the world as a thief in the night. Paul says this “They will not escape.”
they shall not (ou me) escape.
In Greek when you have a double negation, it is saying absolutely no way. It is the strongest negation you can have in the Greek language. Ou me, a double negative in Greek, tells us escape is not at all possible. By their own rebellion, they are doomed to go through the Tribulation. Revelation tells us 50% of the population of the earth will die by chapter 9.
When someone robs your home, it changes your world. You feel violated and vulnerable. You realize the security you had was just an illusion. Imagine how much the world will be shaken after the Rapture of the Church.
Dear Reader, What perspective will you have? Will it be the one of a bride? or of a homeowner who had his house robbed? If you aren't sure, send me an email through the link in the header.
