4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
There is a teaching out there about the Lord’s Second Coming that says we as believers will be taken by surprise. That is utterly false! We know His coming is going to happen, so how can it be a surprise? It is a surprise to non-believers because they are not looking for it. We are looking for His return. We are awake and watching. We may not know when He is coming, but we are watching and eager for His return. I think of the soldiers as they are returning for their mid-tour leaves from Iraq and Afghanistan. They know about what day they are flying, but they don’t know what day they will land. Their families must simply watch and wait for word. They know that one day soon their soldier will arrive, but exactly when, they don’t know. We must live with the knowledge that someday, maybe this day, Christ will return. If we are watching and ready, we will not be surprised when He does return. The verse just before this one talks about non-believers being caught off guard. They will be going about their business as usual and suddenly Christ will return. They are not watching and waiting, so they are taken by surprise. It is like the woman waiting for her serious boyfriend to pop the question. She knows it is coming. Hints have been dropped. She just does not know which day the question will be asked. Or the pregnant woman who knows she is going to go into labor, but exactly when those first contractions happen, she has no clue. We are to watch and wait for His return. Are you ready?
The Arnold Journey 