2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3
Paul warns us that the Day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night because while people are oblivious to the signs around them, sudden destruction will come upon them, and they won’t be able to escape. The LORD is righteous, and all of His judgments and deeds are righteous. Yet so many declare and proclaim to others that the LORD won’t punish the wicked. That the LORD loves you regardless of how you live your life, so He won’t punish you. They whisper sweet words of false hope into the ears of the people, and the people are eating up these false teachings, not realizing the coming destruction.
Paul clearly states that they will not escape the sudden destruction that is coming on all people who have rejected the LORD Jesus. This why it’s so important that we tell everyone that the return of Christ is near because His return is coming when all the walls of the wicked are down, and they have no discernment of the times. He’s coming like a thief in the night because the wicked will be unaware that He came into the world until it’s too late and all the righteous are gone.
Paul and the other disciples understood this and gladly carried this weight on their shoulders, preaching the Gospel for the sake of others. They didn’t care about their own comforts or lives. They cared only about sharing the true love of God. They loved others more than they loved themselves. Jesus warned His disciples that one of the signs of His return was that the love of many would grow cold (Matthew 24:12).
Today, the Church’s love is growing cold. The oil in our lamp is dwindling. We have unsaved loved ones that we’d rather leave in their sin than spend time planting and watering seeds in hopes that they will be saved and escape the coming destruction. The LORD’s return is closer now more than ever before. Signs are being fulfilled. Trumpets are being sounded. Jesus will soon be returning, so eagerly teach, pray, and fast for those who are still lost in sin, for unrighteousness will never be able to dwell with righteousness.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Tend To The Seeds.